Since their embarrassment in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals against Bayern Munich, Barcelona have been in a crisis that is affecting the decision to keep or let go of their star man Lionel Messi.
Bayern Munich walloped Barcelona in a thrilling 8-2 victory in their one-legged Champions League tie in at Estadio da Luz stadium in Portugal.
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The defeat has since generated outrage from the fanbase calling for the immediate reorganization of the management and players.
The wind of outrage has cost the erstwhile manager, Quique Setien, his job: he has been replaced by a former player of the club, Ronald Koeman.
The spotlight has now turned to the club’s starman, Lionel Messi as many reports in Spain suggest the Argentine is furious and could leave the club in the next summer transfer.
The player spent his entire career playing for the Catalans and won many trophies.
He often pledged that he wants to end his career at Barcelona.
Can the recent crisis in the club force him to leave?
The following are five reasons Messi could leave Barcelona.
1. Failure to sign Neymar
The inability of the club to re-sign a Brazilian and the most expensive player, Neymar Jr, was said to have upset Lionel Messi.
Strong rumors have linked the PSG star man to a move back to Camp Nou which would have gladden Messi as it is his top priority in reforming lethal partnership.
The club instead doled out a huge transfer fee for Antoine Griezmann and halted Messi’s dream.
2. Valverde’s sack
The sacking of Ernesto Valverde has also been lined up among the major reasons that made Messi furious in the club.
Despite criticism from fans, management, and other stakeholders, Messi believed that the coach has the capacity to turn things around.
3. Face-off with Abidal
Valverde’s dismissal led to sporting director Eric Abidal’s criticism of the effort of the players in an interview after which Messi took to Instagram the next day to slam Abidal for his comments, saying: “The people in the sporting directorate should also assume their responsibility and above all take ownership of the decisions they make.”
4. Unfriendliness with Setien
After the appointment of Quique Setien, Messi expected to connect with him like his predecessor but the failure to get along with him like Valverde had continued to upset him.
According to The Mirror, this is yet another factor that could force the player to leave the Blaugrana.
5. COVID-19 pandemic
Messi was also unhappy with the way Barcelona dealt with the coronavirus pandemic behind the scenes.
He wrote an open letter on Instagram criticizing the club for not acting quicker in helping the players find a solution before deciding to take a 70% pay cut.
