Barca sweat over possible Messi exit
Things are no longer peaches and cream at the Camp Nou, and understandably so. The Catalan giants have been on the wrong side of the headlines after being mercilessly put to the sword by German opponents Bayern Munich in their UEFA Champions League quarter-final clash in Lisbon.
The Blaugrana’s 8-2 defeat was by a large mile their heaviest defeat in any competition since the turn of the new Millenium; and, amid all the talks of restructuring within the club, there are continuing doubts over Messi’s interest in staying on at Camp Nou after a painful end to the season in LaLiga and the Champions League.
Victor Font, the man rivalling Joan Laporta in the race to succeed current Barca chief Josep Maria Bartomeu, says he fears the prospect of the club’s record scorer departing.
Messi himself has been quite reticent since Barcelona were drubbed 8-2 by Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals, with increased speculations fueling the notion that he may be looking to set up shop elsewhere.
Bartomeu said he had spoken to Messi’s father, but not to the player himself, while new boss Ronald Koeman declared he needed to speak to the 33-year-old to determine his intentions. Font said, in an interview with Catalan newspaper Sport, that he did not discount the possibility of Messi leaving.
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“I believe there’s a risk, and it gives me nightmares. Messi is vital to this club, the most important player in its entire history and it’ll only grow after he retires,” Font said. “The relationship between Messi and Barca must continue after he’s hung up his boots. He should be the image of this club and its growth throughout the world.”
Font, however, has been stirring the waters by making it abundantly clear that new boss Ronald Koeman will not be managing the players under his regime, stressing that Xavi would helm first-team operations under his watch. He indicated that the best he could promise Koeman was a role elsewhere on the staff, Daily Times reports.
“I wish, and I mean this from my heart, Koeman and Barca win the treble,” Font said. “I’m sure that Xavi, at the head of this project, would find a place for Koeman’s talent too.” He said it was “nonsense” that “the same people who caused this crisis are still making the decisions”, including newly-promoted technical director Ramon Planes, calling for a clearout from the top down and saying it was “irresponsible” that Bartomeu had not already resigned.
Font on his own part seems to be at variance with the proposed restructuring which could see many of the players he intends to keep being flushed out, with Bartomeu having spoken of “drastic measures” being planned and the anticipated departure of “legendary” figures.
From Font’s perspective, the sporting side of the club is flawed, especially in view of the embarrassing defeat to Bayern Munich and the concession of the La Liga title to bitter rivals, Real Madrid.
“What if the new technical secretary and coach in 2021 believe Luis Suarez or Pique, for example, are still important members of the squad as the team evolves but Planes and Koeman have already sold them?” Font mused. “It doesn’t add up. There needs to be more perspective. Look beyond today, think about tomorrow and what’s best for FC Barcelona,” he said.
