Lionel Messi will cross paths with Koeman again tomorrow

The nightmare is over for FC Barcelona when it comes to contemplating Lionel Messi's departure from the club. With less than 15 days to go before the new season begins, Barça must focus on working hard to get ready for that start date.

Turning the page 

Messi said no one could, or will ever be able to, question his commitment to Barça. He wanted to leave but that doesn't mean he will stop trying to win everything at the club of his dreams. Both Leo and Barça will need to turn the page from the ugly episode and look to right the many wrongs of last season, one which finished with a humiliating 8-2 defeat against Bayern Munich.

Face to face with Koeman 

In order to turn things around, Ronald Koeman now has the services of Messi to count on. Despite everything that's been said and done, it's much easier to build a project if it includes the best player in the world.

At 17:30 (local time) on Monday, Koeman and Messi will cross paths again. The new coach is naturally going to ask what's going on in Leo's mind and will search for a fresh start on all sides.

Maximum dedication

Messi is expected to repeat what he said in his most recent interview. He will tell Koeman that he'll give his all every time he steps out in a Barça shirt and wants to keep winning titles, especially the Champions League, a competition he hasn't won since 2015. 

Another decision which will need to be made is whether Leo remains captain. The Argentine is proud of being the club captain but the incidents over the past couple of weeks might have changed his mind.

The other three captains at Barça - Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets and Sergi Roberto - are all staying. If Messi were to drop out from the captain role, the natural replacement to round out the four would be Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Over the new few days those questions and doubts will be answered. For now though, everyone is excited at the prospect of having Messi back.