For many old timers like me. Barca went through some serious shit during the late 90?s . It was only after the arrival of Ronaldinho were the club fortunes reversed. Ronaldinho was instrumental in development of Xavi, Iniesta and Messi.
Xavi, Iniesta played 2-3 seasons before he arrived and were really not the elite level we revel in them today.
Messi was amazing during his early days and upto 2015. It is not coincidence that many of his non questionable Ballon ?r or came in early 2010?s. He used to run , press do all the things expected of a professional football player.
The issue is after that.
For some reason it began to feel like he was bigger than the club , he ran the dressing room, coaches were shit scared to rest him.
Amazing player but never a captain or a leader. My issue with him is that he put himself first before Barca. I am a Barca fan first and foremost.
If Barca fans don?t understand how his contract ruined us you should really think of the state we are in right now. Even signing 50m player is out of our budget.
I keep seeing Ter Stegen out, Busquets out , Alba out, Pique out. Yea ok agreed they are declining and we need replacements. But you can?t reinforce the entire lineup in one season. Remove them and replace with whom. A player with better quality than Pique/Alba/Busquets costs Money.
If last 2 Barca games are an indication. Pique is critical to defense.
Now the previous management is responsible for 50 percent of the Blame.
You can say the management offered that etc etc.
But folks we are talking about Barca history here , legends who put the club above themselves.