Lionel Messi’s relentless cries fall on deaf ears at Barcelona

Barcelona must be kicking themselves for not accepting and behaving in accordance with Lionel Messi’s wishes after the latest situation they are in.

Barcelona striker Luis Suarez is close to parting company with the club and will join arch-rivals Atletico Madrid. The Catalans were thought to be hesitant in letting their venomous forward join a direct competitor to the La Liga title but with all parties seeming to be on the same page, it only looks like a matter of time before he joins the Rojiblancos.

More from Everything Barca

• FC Barcelona tracking Belgian Wonderkid
• FC Barcelona vs Betis Player Ratings
• Barça boss Xavi to get contract extension
• FC Barcelona planning swoop for Arsenal midfielder
• Barcelona interested in €30 million wonderkid

With the club’s third all-time top goal-scorer set to depart during the upcoming days, they are left with an underperforming Antoine Griezmann as the striker whereas the backup is Martin Braithwaite who was only landed as a makeshift forward earlier this year and was never a part of the club’s long-term plans despite a lengthy contract.

Now is the time when Messi’s tireless cries and requests to the Barcelona board start to make sense. The player is definitely not bigger than the club and one only has to be of a biased mindset to think so, but one thing that everyone can agree upon is the fact that the Argentina international has a better vision for the team than the board and directors.

Since the last couple of months, the player was rallying for Lautaro Martinez to be signed as a replacement for Luis Suarez. The Uruguay international had visibly slowed down in recent months and it was Messi’s option who seemed perfect all things considered. But the board’s pathetic handling of the likely transfer shed water on this season’s plans.

As things stand at the moment, Suarez will leave for free and probably even demand a sizeable wage from his contract to be released resulting in a loss for no other party beside Barca. Griezmann, who scored just nine league games all season will lead the line and there does not need to be much said about the lack of chemistry he and Messi have.

Memphis Depay was thought to be a target for the club and could have helped in the scoring bit, but even his transfer now looks off the cards with AC Milan showing interest and Barcelona needing to sell before they can buy. Had Barca negotiated with Martinez on Messi’s request, the situation would have been different, but their downfall continues, courtesy of a clueless Bartomeu.

What do you make of Suarez heading to Atletico, leaving Griezmann Barca’s only option?