Lionel Messi - v7

[Barcelona_Boy]

I read all over that Messi's father already has a house in Milan very close to Inter HQ and in Italy speculate about Leo's future.

 

[KingLeo10]

That's what I'm saying. For his own legacy, he should have retired in 2015, according to your point of view.


I don't deny that. However picking on Ronaldo's and Messi's failures at the age of 30+, considering the level they have been playing since they were 18 years old, as some thing that takes away from legacy is not fair imo. They will only play worse and worse. That's normal.

Regarding the first point, not quite. He could play until 2025 and not win another CL and I wouldn't have put him any lower than GOAT IF he showed that he was able to perform (an assist or a goal here and there, not blanks) in adverse circumstances more often than not. However, it's actually that he's had more bad showings than good showing (not wins but performances) as we've declined and declined. The Liverpool performance at home was a masterclass and away from home he was pretty good as well. That's the only one where I think he played to his GOAT ability but we still came up short. I can't ever blame him for that. But my argument is Roma, AM 2016, Juve 2017. I'm not even counting Bayern 2020 as our team was disastrously bad so I can't fault him. But you can't tell me those others weren't winnable if he had put his 100%. And in the case of those 3, he wasn't quite as physically declined as he is now either.

What he's shown me is that he's an out of this world talent with out of the world performances with a strong team around him, which we had from 08-15, outside that Tito/Tata blip. But this is the case for other all time greats like Cruyff, Pele, CR7 etc. It then becomes hard to argue/justify that he's by and far the GOAT (rather being among the GOATs) when he hasn't accomplished something that they haven't.

 

[ATLBarcaFan]

I can imagine the conversation:

Koeman: Leo, let's cut to the chase. We want to make this team fast and hungry, like in the past... That game vs Bayern can't happen again. Ever.

Messi: Uhmm, ok... I'm listening.

Koeman: I know you don't wanna hear this... but we can't do it with the veterans playing as they did in the last few years.

Messi: I don't know what you're talking about, it's the managers. We're still the best, not our fault Bartomeu hired only bad managers. Since Pep, only Valverde understood and cared for us... on a deeply human level you know? Like, from the heart...

Koeman: I know but, listen, we have to let Suarez go...

Messi: What? I open up to you like this, and you give me shit? No fucking way. If he goes, I'll go. I'll give you Busi. Busi can go. Fuck him, never liked him much. This guy never scores. He told me once he only goes up in the box to see the play from close and be the first one to congratulate me when I save their asses.

Koeman: Busi heh? Ok, Busi, I'll take it. I wanted to use De Jong DM anyway. Now we're talking. Who else? Give me a good one now...

(thinks for 1 minute)

Messi: Braithwaite, he's a veteran.

Koeman: You're shitting me? I mean important players.

(thinks for another minute)

Messi: Ok, you can take Pjanic.

Koeman: But... he didn't even join the team.

Messi: Even better, tell him to stay in Turin. Don't bother coming.

Koeman: Can't do it man, have to be current players. The fans want at least 2 main ones. How about Alba?

Messi: Fuck no! He's the only one that gives me the ball. Take Pique, he said he wants to focus on Tennis more the other day, wants to revolutionize the Davis Cup. But don't tell him I said this. And Vidal. Fucker played much better in Copa America...

Koeman: Ok, so, Busi, Vidal, and Pique. Ok, man, I think I can just about sell it. Deal?

Messi: Deal. But don't touch Suarez or Alba. No monkey business, no shenanigans, be a man of your word. If you know what's best for you...


5 mins after, on a whatsapp group:

Leo: Jordi, Luis, I got you off fuckers. You owe me big time... Had to cut others though... needed to give him something, make him think he's won the argument.

Jordi: Who?

Leo: Geri and Arturo. Had to do it man.

Jordi: Can't believe he fell for Arturo. He's not even a real amigo. Ja ja ja.

Luis: Ha! You played him. Better than us. Btw, Sofia said she liked the sweater very much, the stitching is perfect, Anto is the best as usual.

Messi: Ok, I tell her. We're happy she liked it.

Alba: Ok, talk later.

Messi: Bye.

Luis: Bye.

Gold Jerry, gold

 

[jairzinho]

That shows that the team was mentally broken at one time of the game.

Correction: The team was mentally broken for the majority of the game.

Apart from the physical issues, the biggest problem I have with the team is the mentality. The players are mentally weak, especially the ones that are supposed to be captains, they?re too soft.

If you look at the last 3 European knockouts, it?s the same theme. Too physically and mentally weak. As soon as the pressure is up and we let in a couple goals, they fold too easily, there?s no fight, no intensity.

The captains that are supposed to be the heart and soul of the team are reduced to tears, looking dejected and hopeless. It?s a shame.

 

[te amo barca]

Saw someone claiming Messi would be great at CF for Liverpool instead of Firmino, the guy who has the highest numbers of tackles in the attacking third and presses all day not even starting on his off the ball movement in attack. Completely different roles and positions from what Messi can do.

 

[Tackle]

We can confirm that the Argentina international forward transmitted his doubts about the new sporting project to Koeman, which includes potential exits for Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba, among others. [Moises Llorens]

 

[KingLeo10]

We can confirm that the Argentina international forward transmitted his doubts about the new sporting project to Koeman, which includes potential exits for Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba, among others. [Moises Llorens]

Are the doubts in relation to those exits or the replacements/sporting project in general?

 

[Tackle]

Are the doubts in relation to those exits or the replacements/sporting project in general?

No clue, article does not specify. Likely has a bit to do with both.

https://www.espn.com/soccer/soccer-...board-debate-selling-frustrated-messi-sources

 

[Respekt_III]

I think it's most definitely the players, just look at what what their agents are coming out saying as well as what suarez posted on instagram.

 

[blueandclaret]

I?m honestly fine moving on from Messi. I?d like to see him get more trophies, especially another CL, and I?d like to see us get what we can from him and start building on our young talent. Will be a rough couple of years, but we?re just delaying the inevitable. Does anyone really think we can win another LaLiga or CL at this point if we keep Messi?

 

[Respekt_III]

I?m honestly fine moving on from Messi. I?d like to see him get more trophies, especially another CL, and I?d like to see us get what we can from him and start building on our young talent. Will be a rough couple of years, but we?re just delaying the inevitable. Does anyone really think we can win another LaLiga or CL at this point if we keep Messi?

I'm not, not yet anyway he still can offer a lot to the club, he just needs to accept maybe not playing all. Games due to his age and tactical considerations against certain teams. This is of course he accepts his friends leaving and him accepting that type of role.

 

[KingLeo10]

I'm not, not yet anyway he still can offer a lot to the club, he just needs to accept maybe not playing all. Games due to his age and tactical considerations against certain teams. This is of course he accepts his friends leaving and him accepting that type of role.

He won't magically accept all those conditions and turn into a different person.

Anyone who has power never voluntarily relinquishes that power. It's one of those truths about human nature.

 

[Judoman]

It's simple.

If his happiness is dependent on senior players staying, than he should leave together with those players.

If his happiness is dependent on sporting project, than he should accept that we need to make big changes in the squad, which means selling most of the amigos and
bringing fresh blood.

The original problem remains at least until march 2021.

 

[Richard.H]

I?m honestly fine moving on from Messi. I?d like to see him get more trophies, especially another CL, and I?d like to see us get what we can from him and start building on our young talent. Will be a rough couple of years, but we?re just delaying the inevitable. Does anyone really think we can win another LaLiga or CL at this point if we keep Messi?

To be fair, we could win another La Liga with Messi. No chance in CL, but we can still win LL+Copa and send him off on a high note like a legend deserves. The question is if he can accept major squad changes and any tactical decisions that Koeman wants.

 

[DonAK]

He'll stay and be fine. I think Koeman will convince him and manage to make him play and do better.

Not because Koeman is some World Class manager, but because he's a Barca Legend and is more charismatic and got way more authority than his predecessors. I think Messi is more inclined to listen to a man like that.