In truly heartbreaking fashion, Lionel Messi will not return to Camp Nou. Since July, all indicators were pointing toward a fairly certain renewal to stay in Barcelona until 2026, with an option to leave in 2023. However, in a strange turn of events, contract talks came to an abrupt end with the chance of renewal “almost impossible”. This was later reinforced with an official tweet from Barcelona themselves, stating that Messi would not longer continue with the club.
Although this may be great news for football fans, it makes a real mess of most big clubs summer spending spree. When the transfer window first opened in July, many big clubs had already prepared deals for the Barcelona legend, in an attempt to lure him away from a league he had dominated for nearly two decades. However, Messi’s loyalty to Barcelona is what got contract renewal talks back on track (not that the money wouldn’t have been enticing either). This led many clubs going after different high value targets such as Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish and Spurs’ Harry Kane, both of which have been offered big money contracts by Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. Now, not that another £100 million would put any kind of dent in City’s almost unlimited transfer budget, but with several big contracts already signed, the chances of most big clubs even being able to afford footballs greatest ever talent are pretty slim.
This also spells bad news for Tottenhams Harry Kane as with Messi now back in the picture, his move away from North London will not take a back seat in the minds of most big club managers.
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| Messi at Barcelona - fcbarcelona.com |
At 34, Messi is past his prime years of football (at least on paper), but don’t think for one moment this won’t dissuade any clubs from at least making an offer on the Argentine. The mind automatically shifts to teams with big budgets who also possess the promise of at least one more Champions League trophy. Manchester City possess a unique advantage over the rest of the wealthy contender’s in the fact that Pep Guardiola has already had experience and success managing Messi. This would give Messi a certain reassurance that he would still be able to play his brand of football, something that may be lost by joining PSG or Chelsea to play under Mauricio Pochettino or Thomas Tuchel.
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| Pep Guardiola - economictimes.indiatimes.com |
Ironically, money will be the biggest obstacle for one of footballs richest ever players. With a 2021 Ballon d’Or all but secured, Messi’s transfer value soared once again in recent months, peaking at over €220 million. However, with Messi’s last Barcelona contract ending in July, he is effectively a free agent meaning any club wishing to sign the 6 time Ballon d’Or winner will just have to negotiate his hefty salary which is estimated to be around €500,000 a week.
Such is the world of football, the coming weeks will be filled with unlimited amounts of speculation over the final destination of Messi and his unworldly talent. Although it does leave a rather sour taste in the mouth of Barcelona fans around the world, it does present another massive opportunity for other clubs to land one of the greatest football players of all time, and also gives Messi the opportunity to prove he can dominate world football, not matter the colour of his shirt.
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