Lionel Messi - v7

[Mitchell1978]

It is about his general play combined with his power behind the scenes.
His power in the club makes the manager obsolete because he puts himself above the manager and decides how he plays and influences who plays besides him.

A lot of you believe this to be true, but in the end its all just speculation, framing because it serves some people's agenda's.

 

[FinBarcelonafan]

I would argue most fans her are humble with what we've seen from this highly acclaimed barca team in the past four seasons. With the players we have, you would expect most fans to set the city on fire if we don't win the CL every year. Barcelona is a top European club, not a Sevilla level/Villareal level club. The fans should expect success.

In the end, we are the team spending the biggest amount in the world, shouldn't we have some expectation? Is that wrong? We have the most expensive roster in the world and we see this? Who would be happy with this? Not many!

 

[Luftstalag14]

I've said many times i'm not a real fan of any club though i always had sympathy for barca (from the early 90s), just like i have sympathy for Anderlecht, Antwerp and a couple of other teams.
I'm a fan of great players like Messi (and to a much lesser extent De Bruyne, Pirlo when he played).

Can't stand the entitlement of some 'fans' here.

OK, now I understand your perspectives. We clearly have different interests in mind. Messi fans or fans of great players want the best for their players and they care more about the goals, the ballon d'ors and personal accomplishments they achieve whereas club fans care far more about the club more than any player.

 

[Arnaez]

Dunno why Messi ever moved from that RW playmaker role, he looked back to his talismanic best 14/15 to 15/16. Stop with this dropping into centre midfield bs.

 

[Blaugrana Bull]

A lot of you believe this to be true, but in the end its all just speculation, framing because it serves some people's agenda's.

I have never believed this stuff in the past. But I think it is pretty obvious now.
And to make it clear: Messi is not the only problem and of course he is still our best player potentially. Easily the most productive one in offense when he actually plays there.
But him (probably the most powerful one) and others like Pique, Alba, Suarez and probably Busi and Vidal are ruling the dressing room and stand above the coach. They have even taken it into the public this week.

 

[Total-Football]

Games like these again and again and again put the myth of resting to bed. His stamina is his only (and sadly a huge) shortcoming.. A winger with the quality of messi should create havoc in his side like Rubben who is half the player in terms of technique. Because of his small lungs messi has to rest 15 minutes for every assault he launches on the flank and a whole half for every intense first half. Thats the reality of messi since 2013. And no, messi was not like that before 2013, he used to be a running machine. Minutes 65 and onwards he literally was limping when he caught the ball. His only handicap is a major one sadly
'

 

[DonAK]

He's losing his temper like I've never seen before. At this rate he'll punch someone soon and get sent off. The frustration is definitely getting to him.

 

[Andrew M]

He didn't play particularly well, but calls for him to leave are premature.

 

[pregra]

That curler in the first half could have been goal of the season, a shame

 

[Ritchie]

I think his time is up here. Too many old and slow players, he's won his last trophy with the league last year and Anfield was the end of an era. He's just going to get more and more frustrated and despondent. It'll ruin his legacy if it's dragged out over a few years.

He can't even score anymore unless it's a penalty. 'Penaldo' on the other hand still scores every game.

 

[FinBarcelonafan]

I think his time is up here. Too many old and slow players, he's won his last trophy with the league last year and Anfield was the end of an era. He's just going to get more and more frustrated and despondent. It'll ruin his legacy if it's dragged out over a few years.

He can't even score anymore unless it's a penalty.

Penaldo two now. But if you leave him higher, give Pjanic the midfield job, maybe Messi can still deliver, he just can't play both. It's too much running for him. It kills his finishing.

 

[Ritchie]

Penaldo two now. But if you leave him higher, give Pjanic the midfield job, maybe Messi can still deliver, he just can't play both. It's too much running for him. It kills his finishing.

Unless Barca get a De Bruyne as well it just won't be enough, the midfield is too poor and slow.

The tragedy was Anfield last year. A treble treble and 5th CL would have been his legacy. Instead that game was the acceleration of the decline for him and this team.

 

[FinBarcelonafan]

Unless Barca get a De Bruyne it just won't be enough, the midfield is too poor and slow.

The tragedy was Anfield last year. A treble treble and 5th CL would have been his legacy. Instead that game was the acceleration of the decline for him and his team.

And of course Barca did nothing after another disaster(Liverpool). How do you not fire Valverde and change some players after that disaster?! Especially with Rome happening one season earlier.. it was a sign!

That was the biggest mistake. We've struggled years in CL and it's obvious we need some changes but.. nothing seems to happen. Let's hope trophyless season gives them a good enough lesson to blow this up.

 

[mc_lovin]

I think his time is up here. Too many old and slow players

Way too harsh. Of our older core Messi still delivers/adds the most. Then Alba, Pique, Busquets and Suarez. Rakitic and Vidal should be gone first (and it looks like we are trying). Umtiti as well. I am on the edge about Suarez, but when he doesnt score hes downright toxic.

If we start next season with Messi, Alba, Pique and Busquets that would be a win in my book. I really think we can have a very good team if we make a few sensible decisions.

 

[Raketa10]

If he is smart he should leave. He should choose a club with a clear goals for his last 2-3 seasons. Barto & Co. have ruined the last 5 years of his career and now people will start blaming him. It's time to go Leo. You gave everything to this club but it's time for a change. This would be the best option for him and also for the club which has become too dependent on him. This cycle is over, both sides need to move on.