Messi can't leave because he felt let down by Barça

Messi can't leave because he felt let down by Barça

Lluís Mascaró

Director de Información Deportiva de Prensa Ibérica

messi
messi | sport

Messi must be the leader, both spiritually and on the pitch, for Koeman's new project at Barça. The last 14 years at the club don't exist without the Argentine superstar. He's the best footballer in the world (and probably of all time) and has been the conductor of those Barça triumphs. His magic and influence are undeniable. It has to be that way until Messi decides to hang up his boots. This is something which, fortunately, isn't on the horizon just yet.

That's why it was vitally important the captain met with the coach to exchange ideas. It's also normal that Koeman's first meeting would be with Messi because the involvement (or not) of Messi in the project changes everything. It's logical that Messi would want to meet with the coach to find out what his ideas are for Barça. It wasn't to discuss potential arrivals and departures but rather an analysis of what happened to make him feel this way and for them, together, to design an escape route out of this crisis. 

The fact Messi interrupted his holiday to meet with Koeman says a lot about the Argentine's intentions. Leo is a Barça fan and wants the best for the club. He wants a winning project to claim more trophies and to feel happy playing football again.

What happened in that meeting between Messi and Koeman will be largely kept between those two, but we know that Leo is full of doubts and is still hurting after Barça's Champions League humiliation. He's considering his future, although nothing has been decided yet. But the conclusion to draw from the meeting is the two will meet again soon to discuss what Barça needs to do - and change - in order to become champions. Messi has a year left on his contract and can't be allowed to leave feeling disappointed with the club. I'm sure he won't...

Topics with the letter