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Messi Tells Barcelona He Wants To Leave Soccer 

Thread Insights AI
7/10

The post conveys important news but lacks detailed context about the implications of Messi's decision and the reaction from the club.

Random Guy Enthusiast
By anything do you just mean the Champions League? They've still been winning the league pretty much every season, and should have won it this season too but threw it away stupidly in the home stretch with draws against Seville and Celta, and a loss to Osasuna. And in the latter two of those games, the results swung on last minute goals against them. If Messi stays, they'll probably still be favourites for La Liga next year again.
They were top of the league when they sacked Valverde also. Reports claim Messi was opposed to his sacking but the board pushed it through anyway.
 
Sad Professor Enthusiast
It will be interesting to see if he signs for City how Pep's pressing game will change when he has one player who can't press. Granted he may be the best player in the world, it may well throw the whole kilter of Pep's coaching off.
 
Franco Pinion Community Regular
It will be interesting to see if he signs for City how Pep's pressing game will change when he has one player who can't press. Granted he may be the best player in the world, it may well throw the whole kilter of Pep's coaching off.
Pep has managed Messi at Barcelona and seemed to be able to handle his lack of pressing.
 
Son Of Jack Enthusiast
Bandit Collaborator
Pep has managed Messi at Barcelona and seemed to be able to handle his lack of pressing.
He was never a hardcore presser, true, but he does an AWFUL lot less running (or moving in general) now than he did under Pep 8 years ago. Understandable... it's the difference between a 25 year old and a 33 year old.
 
David76 Rising Star
Pep has managed Messi at Barcelona and seemed to be able to handle his lack of pressing.
Messi pressed when Guardiola was manager enough that it didn't affect the team and he had the legs to do it.
 
Dylan Proficient
I still believe there's no chance that Messi comes to the EPL.

I'm sure City would be interested - and maybe others too - but there's nobody that could afford to pay him what he's on with Barcelona. And if there's a transfer fee involved, then that makes it even less likely. (City are still not clear of FFP yet)

This has all the hallmarks of a powerplay from Messi to get one last huge contract, and possibly force the board into re-building the squad too.

He's 33 - from Barcelona's perspective it could be a smart move to cash in like Madrid did with Ronaldo. But what is a 33-year-old Messi actually worth in the open market?

If the EPL is really the leading league in the world - which many consider it to be - then the top teams should be looking for the next Lionel Messi, not spending huge money on a 33-year-old who is only going to go downhill over the next few seasons! Nobody beats the clock, even Messi.
 
Fraser Enthusiast
Everyone except Messi has arrived for the PCR testing at Barcelona. He was supposed to come at 10:15 a.m. The club do not expect his arrival. [Alfredo Martinez]

Lionel Messi has NOT turned up for his PCR tests at Barcelona in an attempt to put pressure on the club to let him leave. Messi has informed Barcelona that he is no longer a player of the Club [Marcelo Bechler]
 
Tom Rising Star

Tom

La Liga have confirmed that Lionel Messi can only leave Barcelona this summer if his €700 million release clause is met.

I can see this getting ugly and getting dragged through the courts.
 
Dylan Proficient
After Ronaldo leaving for Italy, La Liga don't want Messi going anywhere! They'll back Barcelona all the way.

This is heading for the courtroom before Messi heads to another clubs dressing room
 
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