519 games, 474 goals and 20 seasons later, Lionel Andreas Messi has left FC Barcelona after spending a majority of his life at the club.
Stepping onto the pitch in 2003 at 18, there was always an essence of greatness surrounding the master. From signing his first contract on a piece of tissue at 13 to wiping away tears at his farewell at 37, Messi was more than just a player, he was the club itself for over a decade.
“No player is bigger than the club”- Joan Laporta (Marca, 2020)
The problem
With the rapid rise of the COVID-19 pandemic and the effect it had on the commercial world, FC Barcelona was one of the worst hit football clubs in Europe. The estimated losses came in at around 203 million euros coupled with there being large amounts of debt from past transfers despite their significantly large brand value. Their short term debt is the most in European soccer as of now. The main sources of debt were broken down as follows:
Description | Amount (Euros) |
Stadium Maintenance | 67 million |
TV | 35 million |
Transfers | 29 million |
Commercial | 72 million |
Stats: Goal.com
As of recently, the club haven't been able to completely pay off the transfers of Emerson Royale, Eric Garcia, Sergio Aguero and Memphis Depay. This actually led to them not being able to play the first few matches of the season due to registration mishaps by the club and not satisfying La Liga’s salary cap rule.
So, I'm going to outline what sort of solutions “Messi-less FC Barcelona will have to solve their current debt related issues off the field and tactical issues on the field in order to return to their former glory.
The solutions
Lionel Messi’s incomparable presence hindered a lot of his teammates in their primes. One such player was Antoine Griezmann who has felt devalued and recently requested a transfer back to Atletico Madrid. Koeman could try playing him in the “Number 10” position behind the main striker; a position he has excelled in the past for the French national team and occupied by Lionel Messi in the past.
With foreign talent in Dutchman Memphis Depay from Lyon and Messi’s Argentine teammate Sergio Aguero coming in as reinforcements, there will be much needed support for a misfiring front line. Koeman will now be able to shift his playstyle and structure with Griezmann as creative leader, Memphis as a free roaming ‘9’ despite his risky play style and Aguero coming off the bench to be that late game power punch.
Let's go back to 2019 when a talismanic Eden Hazard left Chelsea at the peak of his powers to Real Madrid. With Hazard leaving, Chelsea had a leash of life to try out younger and homegrown players from their academy. Notable examples include Mason Mount and Reece James who have grown in prominence with their sparkling performances on the field and even made it into the English National team. Players like Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto aren’t getting any younger and are past their prime which is why they should start investing in the next generation. FC Barcelona should nurture and integrate players like Riqui Puig, Pedri, Alex Collado and Yusuf Demir who will gain more exposure and playing time now that the squad depth has lessened.
Another alternative could be to cut off loose ties and sources of debt. Players like Samuel Umtititi, Miralem Pjanic and Ousmane Dembele are some of the highest paid players in the club in terms of wages but have the least amount of games and contributions. I believe that the premier league or Seria A would be quality leagues for these players to dip their toes into and get more exposure to strengthen their careers.
Barcelona now have the base to create an exciting new project and aren't tied down by Messi’s heavy wage bill. Yes, sponsors may pull out with the Argentine not wearing their brands on his chest and sleeve but the only way is up for the club with new management and coaching staff coming in soon. As a Messi fanboy myself, it is only right that the club retires the prestigious number 10 as a token of appreciation and give him the honours he deserves. With young players in their ranks from the La Masia Academy, fresh new imports and the remnants of the old guard, FC Barcelona have a base to grow out of Messi’s shadow and back into the top tier of global football.
Writer's Bio: Thaveesha Jinadasa is a student originally from Sri-Lanka who studies a bachelor of Commerce specialising in marketing. As an avid pop-culture and sports enthusiast, he is often seen immersing himself in the latest Hollywood gossip or watching an NBA livestream. He also likes watching throwback Disney movies and compiling Spotify playlists for every single mood and time of day.
