
The Player Who First Brought Barça Success and Then Failure – Lionel Messi

This year marked Lionel Messi’s 20 years with FC Barcelona. To the dismay of many fans, it was also his last year with the football club. Days after Joan Laporta, Barcelona’s president, admitted that the club could no longer afford him, Qatari-funded Paris St Germain signed the world’s best player. Owing to the Spanish’s league strict rules against squandering and Barcelona’s already mounting debt of $1.4 billion, Laporta could no longer offer Messi a new contract.

Getty Images | A tearful Messi announcing his departure from FC Barcelona
Messi’s Departure from Barça
The press conference held to announce his departure was met with a weeping Argentinian who stated that he never wanted to leave. He also claimed that Barcelona was his home and his family was convinced he could stay, adding that he tried everything in his power to do so.
The audience, filled with many of his present and past teammates, honored the player with a standing ovation. Though Messi’s tears at his press conference were most likely genuine, his departure and Barça’s financial meltdown resulted from his own fault, and from that of his father-cum-agent, Jorge.
Here’s What Caused Barça’s Fall
The Messis sucked Barcelona dry. The year was 2000 when a 13-year-old Argentinian boy was spotted by Charly Rexach, Barça’s technical director at the time. Though he looked years younger than his actual age, the team signed him on for €120,000 a year, invited his family from Argentina, and started funding his growth hormone treatments.
Now at 34-years-old, the football legend that three European Champion Leagues, 6 Golden Balls, 10 Spanish titles, and a record of 672 goals in 778 games for the club to his name.

FC Barcelona | A snapshot from a recently uncovered Messi video of his early days with FC Barcelona
Owing to his success, the soccer player became a power center of sorts inside his club, just like Jordan in Chicago Bulls. Because he was Barça’s most talented player, the club gave in to all of his father’s demands for pay increments.
According to the 30-page contract between Messi and the club, published in Spain’s El Mundo newspaper, Barça paid Messi upwards of $674 million (€555 million) from 2017 until his departure. We’re not sure whether Messi was even aware of his father’s doings, or to what extent the financial demands were getting out of hand.

Getty Images | Some people accused the player of crying crocodile tears during the press conference
In Essence…
The player who took Barcelona to its victory eventually ended up sucking it dry, too. Messi was also the recipient of much criticism, with people stating that after everything the club had given him, he should have offered to play for free until the club could recover from its financial damage.
More in Football
-
`
What Best Money Management Lesson Can We Learn From NBA Star Dwyane Wade?
When it comes to money management, it is crucial regardless of your profession or family background. No matter what you do...
May 27, 2022 -
`
Lewis Hamilton Admits Spanish GP Comeback Felt ‘Better Than A Win’
Lewis Hamilton says his brilliant comeback drive at Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix has resurrected his dream of fighting for an eighth...
May 27, 2022 -
`
What Does it Mean for Rangers to Reach the Europa League Final?
The EUFA Europa League is headed towards its apex. The worldwide popular football championship has witnessed ruthless head-to-head competitions throughout the...
May 26, 2022 -
`
OCA Postpones The Asian Game In China
For some Indians, it’s an excellent opportunity to rest for a few days, as the Asian games have been postponed to...
May 23, 2022 -
`
Naomi Osaka Career Journey And Latest Nike Collection
Naomi Osaka is a Japanese tennis player and activist who, with her victory at the 2018 U.S. Open, became the first...
May 23, 2022 -
`
10 Amazing Facts About NBA Star Chandler Parsons’ $17 Million Resort-Like Mansion
What could be a better place to live than Malibu, California? Though, it’s a vibrant and close-to-nature city. Chandler Parson has absolutely...
May 18, 2022 -
`
Jets And Giants Prepare For NFL Draft
Over the past three years, the NFL Draft has attracted an average viewership of between six and eight million people throughout...
May 11, 2022 -
`
Arsenal Summer Transfer Window 2022 News
There is a gap in domestic football action, which of course means that the focus is shifting towards transfers in the...
May 5, 2022 -
`
Eddie Howe Has Transformed Newcastle
Edward John Frank Howe is an English professional football manager and former player who is the head coach of the Premier...
May 5, 2022
You must be logged in to post a comment Login