Lionel Messi | Joins Inter Miami (pg4111)

[slbsn]

I didn’t see everything that was posted about this last night but I was surprised to see @projectriver getting involved. Make no mistake, his legal insight into our appeal at CAS was an invaluable source of info for many City fans and gave us some reassurance that we would prevail, and a lot of it panned out the way he thought it would.

However, I would respectfully disagree with him that City signing Messi would automatically see us back up before the beak and that this time UEFA won’t “fuck up” the investigation. Firstly, signing Messi doesn’t somehow mean that we fail FFP. If the club feel we can do the deal and stay within the parameters of FFP and we indeed do so while doing everything above board then we won’t be getting punished for breaching FFP because there will be nothing to punish us for. Secondly, while it could be claimed that UEFA fucked up parts of the last investigation, the fact is that once it got to CAS it turned out that they had little of note on us and what they did have was easily debunked so the investigation should never have gotten as far as it did anyway.

As you say, there will be a lot of noise from certain quarters if this goes through but they will need a lot more than noise to bring us down because I doubt that UEFA would have the stomach to go through all this again unless we had actually indeed breached FFP this time

You've misquoted me above - I didn't say "that City signing Messi would automatically see us back up before the beak" or even words to that effect. What I said (and not sure why I shouldn't "get involved") is in the other thread. It is clear and provisoed appropriately. But nobody should think any of these ruses like sticking contracts through CFG or magically paying him £100m in 2025 in NYC or whatever will be ignored. As I have said, I remain confident our board will a) keep their heads b) look way beyond the next 2 years c) won't screw up FFP for a second/third time. You do not go from 3 months haggling over €5m for Koulibaly to spunking €200m in a transfer fee for a 33 year old Messi.

But regardless of CAS, City breached FFP historically. By a mile. That isn't even debated any longer.

For the record, I have corporate, football business, board, commercial negotiation experience beyond pure legal matters that could be of value to some readers regardless if people disagree. This is a forum for discussion and debate. There is nothing to discuss on the player's quality or whether he will improve us. That is settled. It is therefore perfectly reasonable (in my view) to consider the wider impact on the club such as the impact on other transfers, other spending, other problems. If you think that La Liga and other usual suspects are not desperate to find a way to stymie City you are simply wrong. We should tread very carefully.

 

[Phil1]

Honestly hope this case doesn't drag on beyond tomorrow, I hope we also get our centre back target whoever it is.

Well prepare to be disappointed. This has got a few more days at least before things are resolved one way or another.
I'm sure we've not taken our eye off the ball when it comes to other business either.
If there's a deal to be made concerning a CB then we will be all over it.

 

[SPIDERBOY]

Is he lying on his left or right side

I'd be at my sons house if it was me.

 

[Tugay One Cup]

Can’t help but laugh. This guy is fast becoming as big a nob head as Jim White. Just compare and contrast the excitement as he speaks about United’s next possible purchase and compare it to how the potential signing of Messi is being portrayed.

Just complete propaganda.

Fuck me, I've heard less biased bullshit from regular united fans.

I like van de Beek, he's a tidy player. But if he becomes anywhere near one of the best players in the world then the sport is going to be incredibly dull to watch over the next ten years.

 

[Keeper!]

You've misquoted me above - I didn't say "that City signing Messi would automatically see us back up before the beak" or even words to that effect. What I said (and not sure why I shouldn't "get involved") is in the other thread. It is clear and provisoed appropriately. But nobody should think any of these ruses like sticking contracts through CFG or magically paying him £100m in 2025 in NYC or whatever will be ignored. As I have said, I remain confident our board will a) keep their heads b) look way beyond the next 2 years c) won't screw up FFP for a second/third time. You do not go from 3 months haggling over €5m for Koulibaly to spunking €200m in a transfer fee for a 33 year old Messi.

But regardless of CAS, City breached FFP historically. By a mile. That isn't even debated any longer.

For the record, I have corporate, football business, board, commercial negotiation experience beyond pure legal matters that could be of value to some readers regardless if people disagree. This is a forum for discussion and debate. There is nothing to discuss on the player's quality or whether he will improve us. That is settled. It is therefore perfectly reasonable (in my view) to consider the wider impact on the club such as the impact on other transfers, other spending, other problems. If you think that La Liga and other usual suspects are not desperate to find a way to stymie City you are simply wrong. We should tread very carefully.

Well said, if anyone thinks that UEFA or any of our rivals are simply going to shrug their shoulders if we sign Messi are kidding themselves.
We dug ourselves out of giant hole winning that CAS case, the last thing we need is to put ourselves in even the remotest chance of UEFA looking at us again.

 

[M18CTID]

You've misquoted me above - I didn't say "that City signing Messi would automatically see us back up before the beak" or even words to that effect. What I said (and not sure why I shouldn't "get involved") is in the other thread. It is clear and provisoed appropriately. But nobody should think any of these ruses like sticking contracts through CFG or magically paying him £100m in 2025 in NYC or whatever will be ignored. As I have said, I remain confident our board will a) keep their heads b) look way beyond the next 2 years c) won't screw up FFP for a second/third time. You do not go from 3 months haggling over €5m for Koulibaly to spunking €200m in a transfer fee for a 33 year old Messi.

But regardless of CAS, City breached FFP historically. By a mile. That isn't even debated any longer.

For the record, I have corporate, football business, board, commercial negotiation experience beyond pure legal matters that could be of value to some readers regardless if people disagree. This is a forum for discussion and debate. There is nothing to discuss on the player's quality or whether he will improve us. That is settled. It is therefore perfectly reasonable (in my view) to consider the wider impact on the club such as the impact on other transfers, other spending, other problems. If you think that La Liga and other usual suspects are not desperate to find a way to stymie City you are simply wrong. We should tread very carefully.

Fair enough but none of us know how we would go about paying Messi if he signs. I very much doubt we would try to use some of the dubious workarounds that have been mentioned. Personally, I think Messi’s commercial appeal is off the scale and him signing for City effectively pays for itself as a result so comparisons with our rumoured haggling over Koulibaly are effectively moot.

 

[vin]

Anyone know the latest betting odds? I’m told the bookies are a decent gauge of activity..

City 8/11

Barca EVS

 

[slbsn]

He talked a great amount of sense on the legalities of the CAS case but I don't think I have agreed with much of what I've read regarding his thoughts on football and most certainly not football finances.

You are perfectly within your rights to disagree especially football wise. But on football finances I don't recall you ever responding to anything I have ever said and explained why it is wrong. When you do, we can see who is likely right or wrong.

 

[ws01]

Man, when you actually visualise Messi in our shirt, out there on the pitch playing with De Bruyne, Aguero, Sterling..... it just seems utter madness. He would completely change the way we play. The world would be glued to the screen watching our matches.

Cannot believe this is a real conversation we're having right now.

 

[leo_city]

Fuck me, I've heard less biased bullshit from regular united fans.

I like van de Beek, he's a tidy player. But if he becomes anywhere near one of the best players in the world then the sport is going to be incredibly dull to watch over the next ten years.

Donny was a good player in the same season Ajax beat Madrid and Juve in CL, they were immense that year, he's not been that great since. He's not even better than Bruno Fernandes, their own starter of the same profile. United fans are flattered easily, this lad wanted a move to Madrid or Barça desperately over past 2 seasons, even now when Koeman has taken charge he was told he's still not good enough for a top side. You'd think if he was so elite, for a price tag of £40m top clubs would be at a bidding war.

 

[Keeper!]

Man, when you actually visualise Messi in our shirt, out there on the pitch playing with De Bruyne, Aguero, Sterling..... it just seems utter madness. He would completely change the way we play. The world would be glued to the screen watching our matches.

Cannot believe this is a real conversation we're having right now.

Why will he change the way we play?

Our football has been magnificent under Pep.

Our problem last season was poor defending from front to back, how will Messi make that better?

 

[HelloCity]

You are perfectly within your rights to disagree especially football wise. But on football finances I don't recall you ever responding to anything I have ever said and explained why it is wrong. When you do, we can see who is likely right or wrong.

How come you always seem so miserable?

 

[ws01]

Also, if there's one thing that this shows, it's that there's so much more curiosity and fervent admiration for Messi than there is for Tronnie. That's how you know when he's the GOAT, in times like this.

 

[SleepingBlueTiger]

Can’t help but laugh. This guy is fast becoming as big a nob head as Jim White. Just compare and contrast the excitement as he speaks about United’s next possible purchase and compare it to how the potential signing of Messi is being portrayed.

Just complete propaganda.

What utter clown. Van de Beek has quickly become so overrated, even Ajax fans will tell you he isn't nowhere near as good as being made out to be. There is a reason he doesn't start for Netherlands team as Wijnaldum is a lot better than him simply. And Wijnaldum is average.

 

[ws01]

Why will he change the way we play?

Our football has been magnificent under Pep.

Our problem last season was poor defending from front to back, how will Messi make that better?

Because everything will be about him and go through him. Messi isn't going to play second fiddle to no one.

 

[mosssideblue]

Well said, if anyone thinks that UEFA or any of our rivals are simply going to shrug their shoulders if we sign Messi are kidding themselves.
We dug ourselves out of giant hole winning that CAS case, the last thing we need is to put ourselves in even the remotest chance of UEFA looking at us again.

We were not guilty, that is not in any stretch of the imagination "digging ourselves out of a massive hole".

Do you also, seriously think we would now start to look at underhand tactics to land Messi, knowing that we will be being watched like a hawk?

Our owners and board members are top of the tree businessmen, not the Dell Boys sometimes portraid by some in here.

 

[Zin 'messiah' Zimmer]

 

[Bellamy's Caddy]

Can’t help but laugh. This guy is fast becoming as big a nob head as Jim White. Just compare and contrast the excitement as he speaks about United’s next possible purchase and compare it to how the potential signing of Messi is being portrayed.

Just complete propaganda.

To be fair they paid double what Harry Maguire was worth so they were due one in their favour.

 

[vincent]

What utter clowns. Van de Beek has quickly become so overrated, even Ajax fans will tell you he isn't nowhere near as good as being made out to be. There is a reason he doesn't start for Netherlands team as Wijnaldum is a lot better than him simply. And Wijnaldum is average.

Same with Bruno Fernandes. Good player no doubt but vastly overrated imo.

 

[slbsn]

Fair enough but none of us know how we would go about paying Messi if he signs. I very much doubt we would try to use some of the dubious workarounds that have been mentioned. Personally, I think Messi’s commercial appeal is off the scale and him signing for City effectively pays for itself as a result so comparisons with our rumoured haggling over Koulibaly are effectively moot.

Messi's commercial appeal is not "off the scale". We know what a 33 year old Ronaldo was "worth" in uplift terms in a non Covid world and which contracts he uplifted (Adidas and Jeep totalling around €40m plus Juve increased tickets by 30%). We also know what Barca generate commercially vs Real (see for example and can see that it is LOWER than Real which suggests Messi's commercial appeal is not "off the scale".)

Yes we can adjust our Abu Dhabi partner deals but that will again lead to issues. So it is far from simple and people throwing around "commercial uplifts" to explain how we pay €250-300m over 3 years (minimum) are overly simplistic.

Anyway, these are things to discuss. The whole forum is speculation and subjective view.