FC Barcelona are in a state of great adjustment following the polarizing departure of their talisman Lionel Messi. While Messi has turned out to be the best player in club history, and arguably the greatest player of all time, Messi was also a central figure in forming the club’s identity.
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Throughout Messi’s time at Barca, the club had formed a clear ‘superstar-centric’ identity by surrounding Messi with some of the best players in the world. At times this included the combo of Messi and Ronaldinho, the big three of Messi Xavi and Iniesta, and the trio of Messi, Luis Suarez, and Neymar Jr. (famously known as ‘MSN’). Due to a lack of superstar talent in the most recent squads, the only thing sustaining the superstar identity of the club was Messi’s presence and performance.
Now that the post-Messi transition period has been initiated suddenly, the club is urged to be flexible and adaptive in adjusting the team.
Barcelona has lost its superstar identity with the departure of Messi and are urged to adapt
So how can the club form a new identity? Given the current squad, the club cannot form its identity based on strong, structural defense due to issues in their backline. However, there are two other avenues where the team can form a notable identity. Firstly, the team can form a creative attack identity formed around the attacking play of Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembele, and Frenkie de Jong if they move him up the pitch. This would require tactical adjustment from Manager Ronald Koeman. Another identity the club can form is one that priorities young starlets, as the club has a base of young talent in Ansu Fati, Pedri, Sergino Dest and more. Using this base, Barca can look to expand their young talent pool to rejuvenate their squad and replace aging stars (such as Pique, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba)
Whichever way Barcelona decides to go, it is clear that cultural adjustments are needed to ensure club success in the post-Messi era..