Lionel Messi | Joins Inter Miami (pg4111)

[mccity]

I don't think any of us can say for sure what Messi is up to this summer.

We know he's wanted to leave for a while, but that's only so much. When Laporta comes in he might move mountains to keep Messi there. I think he'd stay if a few certain stars aligned. I genuinely don't think we can rule out PSG either should he leave.

Even if right now his mind is made up, it could change too at the drop of a hat. I remember in the summer when our resident ITK, who'd been right about everything with Messi up to that point, announced he was officially going to sign. And then 3 hours later Messi announced he was staying (although the interview had been filmed the day prior). It's can be very volatile!

In this moment all signs are pointing to a Messi departure, but there's no way any of us can be certain of anything at this point.

 

[decmancity]

Its quite amazing, they have probably done almost everything possible to piss him off and he is still there.
Sold his best mate in the summer to a rival who are now walking the league. Not strengthened in years, solely relying on him to get them out of the shit and then stabbing him in the back along the way. Looking likely to end up potless in the next few months and any future title challenges looking doubtful.

Like Pep, he has the near perfect platform at City and all he has to do is pick up the phone.

It is all very odd.

 

[adam.marrett]

Its quite amazing, they have probably done almost everything possible to piss him off and he is still there.
Sold his best mate in the summer to a rival who are now walking the league. Not strengthened in years, solely relying on him to get them out of the shit and then stabbing him in the back along the way. Looking likely to end up potless in the next few months and any future title challenges looking doubtful.

Like Pep, he has the near perfect platform at City and all he has to do is pick up the phone.

It is all very odd.

I don't think it is odd at all.

Despite who runs Barcelona, and how the current regime have treated him since the end of last season, Messi has still been there his entire career and most of his life basically. It's all he knows and he clearly doesn't want to leave on bad terms with the fans who adore him so much, and the club which he loves that despite what has happened recently.

I think he's leaving at the end of the season for free so he can say he tried up until the end to win them something more for them, but couldn't with what has happened at Barcelona be it financially or the presidential turmoil etc, players leaving etc. and can leave on good terms with the fans and keep his legacy there intact.

Now whether or not the leaks keep coming and tarnish him some more is another question, but I can't see it stopping until Messi makes his decision on what he's doing.

But that's just my guess I know fuck all just how I've read the saga so far

 

[Keeper!]

He'll stay. No idea why he'd want to go to PSG and the City thing might have been on at one point in the summer but since then it's gone quiet.

It just seems like he's not fully committed to leaving anymore and I think that's what it would take. If he's sitting on the fence about it then he's almost certainly going to stay where his home is, especially with Barto out.

Not a chance he will stay or could even if he wanted to.

The contract leak ended all options for staying.

It seems to be us or PSG, that his options.

 

[BlueRockape]

Its quite amazing, they have probably done almost everything possible to piss him off and he is still there.
Sold his best mate in the summer to a rival who are now walking the league. Not strengthened in years, solely relying on him to get them out of the shit and then stabbing him in the back along the way. Looking likely to end up potless in the next few months and any future title challenges looking doubtful.

Like Pep, he has the near perfect platform at City and all he has to do is pick up the phone.

It is all very odd.

Probably the wrong way to put this but I think he is to frightened to move to in his comfort zone unlike Ronaldo who just sees a move as part of the job

 

[yerwot?]

having never heard him speak, let alone express an opinion on anything, i can only say that nothing can surprise me. Football-wise i believe he would run riot in the Prem, scoring and creating goals, given free rein by Pep, on a scale not seen before. In Spain he has been man-marked, double-teamed kicked shoved and still does the business. Whatever.....

 

[Chi-town blues]

Leaking contact is woman move from barca and don’t think they can stoop lower than that .

 

[BillyShears]

You know, maybe it is then me looking for the subtext.

It really is down to how we interpret it, and also how we fill in the blanks.

Example being your point on his family. He simply stated it was a difficult decision for his family, they were against it and cried. I know different members have understood thatbin different ways, some even took it as one of the reasons in him reversing his decision. I took it like you did, that despite that, he still wanted to leave. But it them doesnt lead to concluding that he Still wishes to leave, beyond his reversal, as you suggest, that to me is a bit of filling in the blank.

I think it is fair to say, as you do, he is simply ruling out (publicly) signing a pre contract or leaving in january, and that can well mean he is still intent on leaving. It can also mean he may want to stay, depending on elections and offer, or he is simply waiting to see. Therefore it is also fair to say that he has not commited to leaving, as previously suggested.

As i say, shades if grey, and no conclusive answers one way or the other.

There's no upside to Leo signing a pre contract somewhere else even if his mind is fully made up to leave Barcelona. Look at the wildly political nature of their football press and the way that the clubs use it to serve differing agendas. For Messi, a pre contract would've meant six months of speculation every time he missed a pass or a shot as to whether he'd already mentally checked out of the building. It would tarnish the legacy he has. IMO of course.

As it stands his silence and his continued performances on the pitch have ensured that come the summer, he'll be able to wave goodbye and walk out the front door. Probably with the blessing of the entire Camp Nou.

 

[Chi-town blues]

There's no upside to Leo signing a pre contract somewhere else even if his mind is fully made up to leave Barcelona. Look at the wildly political nature of their football press and the way that the clubs use it to serve differing agendas. For Messi, a pre contract would've meant six months of speculation every time he missed a pass or a shot as to whether he'd already mentally checked out of the building. It would tarnish the legacy he has. IMO of course.

As it stands his silence and his continued performances on the pitch have ensured that come the summer, he'll be able to wave goodbye and walk out the front door. Probably with the blessing of the entire Camp Nou.

And warm bank account for honoring this contact .
Imagine barca board and president cutting checks but I think it’ll be an ugly exit .

 

[hihosilva]

There's no upside to Leo signing a pre contract somewhere else even if his mind is fully made up to leave Barcelona. Look at the wildly political nature of their football press and the way that the clubs use it to serve differing agendas. For Messi, a pre contract would've meant six months of speculation every time he missed a pass or a shot as to whether he'd already mentally checked out of the building. It would tarnish the legacy he has. IMO of course.

As it stands his silence and his continued performances on the pitch have ensured that come the summer, he'll be able to wave goodbye and walk out the front door. Probably with the blessing of the entire Camp No

It could also have an effect with City if he was to sign a pre contract with us. The club would not want any distractions to the second half of the season if the transfer was out in the open.