The recent goings on of Lionel Messi

As some of you may be aware, Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona has been subject to plenty of rumours regarding his future at the Catalan Giants. With Barcelona looking in the face of their greatest decline in recent memory. Many look back to the 14th August 2020, when Barcelona lost 8-2 in the Champions League to eventual winners, FC Bayern Munich. In the game, Leo looked fatigued and at his wits' end with himself, his teamates and the club that he has dedicated his life to. Today's article will look to clear up the recent goings on of Lionel Messi, the GOAT (o la Cabra), Alien boy, the atomic flea (La Pluga Atomica), etc.

For those unaware with the facts, here's some background info to tie together the loose ends. Born in Rosario, Argentina, on 24th June, 1987. Messi grew up in a house of 6, his father, Jorge, a steel-factory manager and his mother, Celia, who worked in a magnet manufacturing workshop. From these humble beginnings, he played junior football for Newell's Old Boys- one of the most historic football clubs in Latin America. A young Leo would alert the greatest clubs in the world, with Barcelona acting first to bring him over the Atlantic to the Capital of Catalonia; it was a match made in heaven. This 13 year-old would ply his trade, breakthrough and dominate world football with the club of his dreams.

Fast forward to the summer of this year, Messi at the age of 33, playing in an ageing and under-performing Barcelona side. Fresh from letting another La Liga title slide to the possession of their greatest rivals, Real Madrid CF, and losing out on another European title. In stagnant and sluggish surroundings, our Leo wanted a new challenge. Of course, transferring the World's best player comes at a price. That price being €700 million. However, as is the case in many footballers contract, finite details can be picked apart by legal experts and agents for preferential outcomes. As expected, Messi's legal advisors stated that if there was a unilateral agreement to terminate his contract, the player could leave on a free. With Manchester City and former coach, Pep Guardiola, watching developments closely, the war of attrition began. Barcelona were always certain that they would not let Messi walk free (despite being the best flag bearer of the club of all time). Then, enter the ever imposing federation of La Liga, who stood with the club, saying that the player must honour his contract until its end in 2021. With nowhere to go, Leo decided to sit-down with Goal España to discuss his thoughts and, ultimately, his decision.

In the most hotly anticipated interview in the footballing world, Leo was honest and direct. He said that his decision to stay at the club was not in his hands and that he felt hurt. If he had his own way, he'd be sunning it up in Manchester with Pep. Despite the fact that he'd be the first to admit that he had the best job in the world, he would also show us that it comes at a cost. People he once saw as good friends now showing their true value in this, his toughest time as a professional. Disappointed but not surprised by this, he brushes it off as being part of football. Now, defeated, he must brush himself down and perform for a Barcelona side run by former club legend, Ronald Koeman.

Living in Barcelona through the 2019/20 season, the discontent with the managers was ever-present. Whether I read it in El Mundo Deportivo or heard about it from life-long Barcelona fans that I played football with on the weekends; it was clear they needed change. Even when Valverde left in January 2020, his replacement Quique Setién, formerly of Real Betis, never looked settled. Many believed Setién was given the job purely because his Betis side scraped to a 4-3 win at the Camp Nou back in 2018- some job interview...

When I asked who they would've chosen over Setién, Xavi was the main choice. However, there was real desire to have Koeman hired. Reminicising about that winning goal he scored in the 1992 European Cup Final vs Sampdoria at Wembley.

Koeman's appointment links to the Messi saga as I personally think he would've been one of the last names on his candidate list. Of course, the realist in him would've preferred Xavi, who looks to be a dead cert for the position in the near future. Yet, the romantic in him would have erred to hiring Argentine legend, Marcelo Bielsa, of Leeds United. Someone who he has openly admired since his days as the Argentina national team coach, and manager of Athletic Club Bilbao. In fact, every time there has been a change in management at Barcelona, Messi's camp have always nodded to someone whom Leo already trusts- a key thing missing in the Setién and Koeman appointments. Time will tell how this plays out, but I would be surprised if either Lionel or Ron would be there come the close of the 2020/21 season.

Now it seems that the Messi situation has reached a temporary end, it would only be right to remember why he is so special to Barcelona. From being the crown jewel under Pep Guardiola, to dragging his teammates to domestic success over recent years, he is their man. In the hearts of all Barcelona fans, he will hold a special place for his performances against Real Madrid alone, no matter how this season pans out. In speaking to extra-terrestrial abilities, I look fondly to his disposing of Jerome Boateng in 2015 when Leo and the boys won their most recent UCL title. As well as seeing him score some of the most outrageous goals we have all been lucky enough to see. If Barcelona are more than a club (Mes que un club), then Messi is more than a footballer (més que un futbolista). On that note, enjoy a clip of my favourite Messi moment, which wasn't even out of the ordinary for even him: