It’s all getting a bit Messi...

[Darbyand]

Lionel Messi to Goal: "I wasn't happy and I wanted to leave. I have not been allowed this in any way and I will STAY at the club so as not to get into a legal dispute. The management of the club led by Bartomeu is a disaster".

Surely they have to sell to highest bidder and move on. What's the point of paying someone 50m a year to kill time?

[forestfan]

Because he will still score 30 goals a season even playing at 50% effort? It perhaps would be best for all parties to cut ties and move onto a new era, but the downside for Barca is that without him they could fail to even make the CL.

Of course the speculation will just build around a free transfer move next summer, unless the Font/Xavi ticket can produce a U-turn.

[Smurphy Paw]

Have you seen the full statement? Messi's script writer is pulling no punches at all

[Darbyand]

Because he will still score 30 goals a season even playing at 50% effort? It perhaps would be best for all parties to cut ties and move onto a new era, but the downside for Barca is that without him they could fail to even make the CL.

Is that true? The greats are great because they treat every game like it's a cup final..even a small drop-off might see him fall back a bit. Meanwhile they've got about £400m tied up in Griezmann, Coutinho and Dembele and get little return as they're all playing 2nd fiddle to Messi. I'd sell up and buy a defence.

[blahblah]

Apparently he is due a 70m Loyalty Bonus, which they could save....

[Malrom]

He stays:

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54032101

[forestfan]

Well, after seemingly making peace with Barca, no new contract has been agreed and he’s officially a free agent. I wonder if anyone’s preparing an audacious move?

[blahblah]

He stays:

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54032101

That's a year old. He is a Free Agent now.

[Malrom]

He stays:

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54032101

That's a year old. He is a Free Agent now.

I know, the post is from September 4, 2020 !!!

[blahblah]

He stays:

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54032101

That's a year old. He is a Free Agent now.

I know, the post is from September 4, 2020 !!!

Whoops, your post is a year old

[forestfan]

He finally has an international trophy to his name… still without a club though, so will that help him find employment?

[forestfan]

After a new contract had seemingly been agreed… now announced that Messi will be leaving Barca for financial reasons

Welcome to England, Lionel. Now, will you be househunting in Cheshire or Surrey?

[blahblah]

Barca are really skint ....

Portman Road

[S_sutton87]

Barca are really skint ....

Portman Road

Jobserve community stadium

Sent from my CPH2173 using Tapatalk

[forestfan]

He could buy the club and bankroll you to the League One title. Messi and Sheeran, the Dream Team? (or the A-Team perhaps?)

In terms of realistic destinations, PSG have the finances, the top English clubs potentially do at a stretch but the strategic fit is questionable for any of them. Hard to see how Bayern or an Italian club could afford him. Otherwise it’s a semi-retirement destination, i.e. MLS, Japan, China, Middle East or back to Argentina. Which would be a waste when he clearly has plenty left in the tank.

[blahblah]

Barca are really skint ....

Portman Road

Jobserve community stadium

Sent from my CPH2173 using Tapatalk

[murf]

Allegedly just Barce doing some game of bluff with La Liga to get them to change salary cap rules.

Now Citeh can play bluff with Spurs over Kane's fee. Pretend they can't afford him when they have signed Jack 'used to be the most fouled player in the Premiership back when he started games' Grealish and can get Messi on a free.

[blahblah]

Do Lpool have a US footie lot, or just stadiums?

[murf]

Do Lpool have a US footie lot, or just stadiums?

In English?

[blahblah]

Do Lpool have a US footie lot, or just stadiums?

In English?

Do Fenway own an MSL side, I know they own stadia...

The Citeh idea was based on him going to their MSL outfit and selling a load of shirts etc.

The Barca issue is kinda complicated as having him ups their Salary Cap limit, but they would have to cull other players. Without him their Cap is lower and would still need to cull ...

[murf]

Think Fenway only own a rounders(/baseball) team but I could be wrong.

EDIT yep, wiki also lists some other lessers interests including a cable TV station and 50% of a Nascar team but no 'soccer'.

[blahblah]

Think Fenway only own a rounders(/baseball) team but I could be wrong.

EDIT yep, wiki also lists some other lessers interests including a cable TV station and 50% of a Nascar team but no 'soccer'.

Do they own the Rounders lot, or just the Stadium?

My best guess is he goes to US for 3 seasons after 2 seasons getting kicked to bits here or tarting around in Paris.

[murf]

Their thing is to own the club and stadium which they do for the Boston Red Stockings and Liverpool.

[blahblah]

Maybe I got the wrong end of the Corporate stick re Boston, but I have a vague memory now you mention them.

His next contract is dependent on it being subsidised by 3 years in the States. I doubt he'll fancy China....

[forestfan]

Looks like it’s tied up with a new La Liga sponsorship deal and some dependence on Barca renouncing the ESL, a game of who blinks first really.

Do they have an option of going into administration and writing off the contracts of a few unwanted players? Surely they know the league wouldn’t actually kick them out…

[jimmy ching]

Messi is a big NOB, just like Bielsa. There are a few around

[Richt]

There is nothing more annoying than the Messi fanboys! Screaming GOAT GOAT GOAT GOAT at all moments.

[forestfan]

There is nothing more annoying than the Messi fanboys! Screaming GOAT GOAT GOAT GOAT at all moments.

I presume you’re a Ronaldo fan then?

Would have been interesting to see Messi try his luck somewhere else at his peak. Smashing 50 goals a season past mediocre Ligue 1 defences in his twilight years won’t really prove a lot, if that’s what ends up happening.

[forestfan]

You have to question why Barca signed Aguero and Depay, anyway.

Could they miss out on the Champions League next season? Both Madrid teams, Sevilla, maybe one other can find something?

[blahblah]

Weren't they both Free's?

There is definitely some double talk going on as they say they couldn't be FFP compliant with Messi, when I doubt they have been compliant for years...