Lionel Messi | Joins Inter Miami (pg4111)

[the plasterer]

He has just 2 goals from open play in his last 17 matches. The decline is real.

Think it’s more to do with the pile of crap he’s playing with

 

[FCBarca]

Think it’s more to do with the pile of crap he’s playing with

I don't think it's the players per se but definitely the combination of largely youth (Few veteran leaders) and naive tactics from Koeman

But I do agree that a match like last night underscores the gap between sports project and near term competitiveness at the highest level which, for me, pushes that 60/40 exit percentage to 80/20

I can only see Laporta bridging a gap that large but I still foresee it as a mission impossible all things considered

 

[Burtonblue]

He has just 2 goals from open play in his last 17 matches. The decline is real.

....or the fact he doesn’t want to be there is real.
Just as I expected he is voting with his feet. You cannot keep players and expect their best if they don’t want to stay.

 

[City Raider]

A player of that quality’s form doesn’t just drop off a cliff edge. It’s motivation.

 

[FCBarca]

A player of that quality’s form doesn’t just drop off a cliff edge. It’s motivation.

I don't think it's a question of motivation, I see the same player in terms of moments of brilliance but his heart not being in it is definitely a likely factor. I see moments of great chemistry with teammates coupled with stretches where he looks disconnected from others and of course there is his expression on the pitch which lacks the joy you normally see

It's a first for me to see Messi like that which again makes me think one foot is decidedly out the door. Not sure it can be course corrected

 

[BillyShears]

Hard to see anything but a nasty divorce upcoming between Barca and Leo.

Much like Pep when he was at Bayern, if/when Messi leaves Barca there is only one destination for him. City.

 

[FCBarca]

Hard to see anything but a nasty divorce upcoming between Barca and Leo.

Much like Pep when he was at Bayern, if/when Messi leaves Barca there is only one destination for him. City.

I don't believe it will be nasty, not publicly anyway - even if Font wins. Messi would be looking to ensure his legacy is left intact

Fans can be fickle and Nunista media will be who they are irrespective. If Laporta wins and cannot convince, then zero chance it will end nasty

 

[Brightwell’s left peg]

I don't think it's a question of motivation, I see the same player in terms of moments of brilliance but his heart not being in it is definitely a likely factor. I see moments of great chemistry with teammates coupled with stretches where he looks disconnected from others and of course there is his expression on the pitch which lacks the joy you normally see

It's a first for me to see Messi like that which again makes me think one foot is decidedly out the door. Not sure it can be course corrected

You just contradicted yourself in the first sentence.

 

[BillyShears]

I don't believe it will be nasty, not publicly anyway - even if Font wins. Messi would be looking to ensure his legacy is left intact

Fans can be fickle and Nunista media will be who they are irrespective. If Laporta wins and cannot convince, then zero chance it will end nasty

Messi's legacy transcends the entirety of Barcelona football club. He can piss on the doors of La Masia on the way out and he'll still be the greatest player to ever pull a football shirt on and the most important person in the history of your club (along with Cruyff). This mess isn't of his making and isn't his problem. The way he's been treated is shambolic at best and he has every right to fire shots at the whole damn institution.

 

[manimanc]

Let's face it koeman going to Barca is on a par with moyes going to the rags, won nothing as managers, yes koeman was a fantastic player but as a manager he hasn't quite cut it.
Messi is obviously not motivated by his tactics and isn't responding.