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Taking Pele out of his position is not a bad way to let people know that you are still around.
When Lionel Messi scored his 644 goal for Barcelona against Valladolid on Tuesday, he eclipsed the legendary Brazilian’s record for a single club.
Pelé’s total of 643 for Santos, between 1956 and 1974, had not been questioned for 46 years. Many people thought that it would remain forever.
No one else had approached him. Not Maradona, not Puskas and not even the Portuguese Ronaldo, who recently reached the 700 mark, albeit for a quartet from different clubs, in addition to his country.
Add Messi’s 71 for Argentina and he’s on top of that anyway.
It was a timely coup on the part of the little man, which came after he had gone unnoticed as his great din about leaving had come to nothing.
He had been playing, though not so well, and had even gone two or three games without scoring, not just because of a drought, but because of climate change by his abundant standards.
He had also sulked at the prospect of becoming a part-time water carrier for Ronald Koeman. A water carrier does what he can, a genius does what he must.
But lately, there were signs that he was getting his appetite back. The strange goal, the strange assist, even a smile on his face.
Those little legs were running again, demanding the ball. He was no longer doing the moves.
Barça spectators attribute it to the emergence of some genuine young talents from the academy who have rekindled the interest of the maestro.
One of them, Pedri, turned the ball over to set the historic goal for a historic assist.
With others like Riqui Puig and Ansu Fati breaking into the first team, some dare to hope that the new generation can somehow persuade the 33-year-old Messi to stay and lead the club into a new era.
As always at the Camp Nou, it can depend as much on the field as on it.
Next month is the election of a new president and opinions differ from those who believe that Messi should have sold (acting president Carlos Tusquets) to raise funds for those who will move mountains (Joan Laporta) to keep him.
January is also when you will be free to negotiate with other clubs and go free in the summer.
After his cathartic interview in August saying he was desperate to leave, it would take a U-turn for him to stay. And there is no shortage of suitors – Inter Milan have teamed up with Manchester City and Paris St Germain to offer you a place to spend your prowess.
The prospect of being the father figure to a new generation of budding stars could be appealing. Ironic, indeed, for a shy boy who was once known as the mute, the mute.
You have always spoken most eloquently with your feet and may be in the mood for a new challenge in the fall of your career.
Most players like to show that they are more than loyal to a club and enjoy the stimulation of new pasture. Sometimes it can lead to an unexpected Indian summer.
And in both Paris and Manchester there are old friends with whom Messi can renew friendships.
He never wanted Neymar to leave Barça in the first place and break the much-vaunted association with MSN, and he is known to want a reunion.
After all, the Brazilian was hired as his ultimate successor, and if he could be persuaded to return, that could change him.
But Messi also cares for Pep Guardiola, whose enlightened coach was his creation. Together they inspired the greatest era in club history and a reprise of that in Manchester could be tantalizing.
The City is also the place where you would feel at home with a Catalan hierarchy and former Barça bosses like CEO Ferran Soriano and football director Txiki Begiristain running the show.
It may still be difficult to imagine the little master on a rainy and windy Manchester afternoon, but City have the advantage of being able to offer him a long-term future.
First in New York City, a sister club, and after his playing days, an ambassador role for the City Football Group of a dozen clubs around the world.
But Messi’s first love is Barcelona, to whom he owes not only his career but a normal life, and fidelity is inherent to that record.
It could well be that becoming a role model for the next generation is enough to change your mind and allow you to pay a true tribute to Catalonia.
The opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.
