Manu Fernandez / Associated Press
Lionel Messi is looking for a transfer from Barcelona, according to journalist Marcelo Bechler.
Messi’s current contract ferrint to the 2020-21 season. However, it would not be surprising if he throws a shot at it after the 8-2 Champions League of Barcelona against Bayern Munich exposing how dysfunctional the club is on and off the field.
Messi could be in June 33, but he could probably name his next stop, so would be the demand for his services. Although the six-time Balloon d’Or winner is on the wrong side of the aging curve, he remains able to draw unusual goals.
The Athletic’s Adam Crafton wrote that match analysis of a 2017 El Classic showed how Messi became more economical with its movement:
“In the presentation, she focused on a match between Barcelona and Real Madrid in 2017, then Messi ran for 83 percent of the five miles he covered in the game. Traditionally, football coaches would consider this not enough of a leading player, but use it Metric data, Fernandez and Bornn were able to demonstrate how Messi identified ‘high value locations’ to create opportunities for Barcelona. Bobby Gardiner, a data scientist at a leading European club, wrote an article interpreting the study, concluding that ‘in 66 per cent of the time Messi gained control over valuable space, he ran. Even while walking, he helps his team by keeping ground in valuable areas, waiting for the ball to come to him. ‘”
Adopt yourself Messi is past his prime, his time as a world-class footballer is not over.
To lose Messi would of course be a devastating blow to Barcelona, both in terms of the playing squad and what it would mean on a symbolic level. The Argentine star has spent his entire professional career in Catalonia. His transfer would represent an important dismissal over where he believes the club to be.
To some extent sell Messi to may be the kind of shock to the system that Barcelona requires to make significant changes.
“Coaches and players follow each other, but it is several years ago that we can be competitive at European level,” said Gerard Pique. told reporters to the Bavaria defeated. “… The club needs change. And I’m not talking at the level of the coach or the players, but structurally the club needs changes of all kinds. We need to bring new blood to change this dynamic, and if necessary “I would be the first to leave.”
The 8-2 strikes at the hands of Bavaria follows a 4-0 loss to Liverpool in the second leg of last year’s quarter-final and a 3-0 collapse into the hands of Roma in the second leg of the 2017-18 quarter-finals.
In recent seasons, Barcelona have remained close to the top of La Liga thanks in large part to Messi’s presence. Their trust in him is then exposed in the Champions League.
As long as he stays at the Camp Well, the problem may persist.
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