So, the unthinkable has happened. On Tuesday 25 August, it was revealed that Lionel Messi decided he wishes to leave Barcelona for pastures new, just 11 days after Barcelona’s humiliating 8-2 exit in the Champions League at the hands of eventual winners Bayern Munich. As the whole world attempts to compose itself following the shocking news, predictions have flooded in concerning Messi’s next destination, and their justifiable reasons why.
The effect on Barcelona and, in particular, newly appointed manager Ronald Koeman have been largely ignored. Therefore, it seems only right to analyse why Messi’s potential departure could be the best start Ronald Koeman could have hoped for.
First and foremost, it is important to recognise that Messi’s departure is anything but confirmed. The Argentinian has spent 16 years in Barcelona’s first team, and just under 20 years at the club in total. In that time, Messi has won everything there is to win – both on an individual and club level – and has cemented himself in football folklore in the process. Consequently, Messi and Barcelona have one of the most unique relationships in world football and giving that up to begin all over again is a huge decision, something Messi is unlikely to take lightly.
The effect on Barcelona and, in particular, newly appointed manager Ronald Koeman have been largely ignored. Therefore, it seems only right to analyse why Messi’s potential departure could be the best start Ronald Koeman could have hoped for.
First and foremost, it is important to recognise that Messi’s departure is anything but confirmed. The Argentinian has spent 16 years in Barcelona’s first team, and just under 20 years at the club in total. In that time, Messi has won everything there is to win – both on an individual and club level – and has cemented himself in football folklore in the process. Consequently, Messi and Barcelona have one of the most unique relationships in world football and giving that up to begin all over again is a huge decision, something Messi is unlikely to take lightly.
Messi celebrates with the Liga trophy as Barcelona won their 26th on April 27, 2019.
Moreover, following the news of Messi’s transfer request, stories broke about board members potentially resigning in an effort to hold on to Messi – including Barcelona’s President Josep Maria Bartomeu. Despite Bartomeu having denied this story, there is little doubt that his and Messi’s relationship is, at best, rocky. Therefore, Messi’s decision to leave might simply be a powerplay move. Messi may be attempting to force Barcelona’s hand into removing Bartomeu from his position. It would be a bold move for the Argentinian to make but if there was any player with this extent of power over an individual club, it would be the six-time Ballon D’or winner.
That being said, reports are pointing towards this being a genuine request to move club. So, taking the jump forward in time, to a hypothetical world wherein Messi has left Barça and the Spanish giants have lost their figurehead, one thing is clear: for Ronald Koeman, hope is not lost. In fact, it could be the greatest start for the Dutchman as he approaches his first season at the helm.
Spanish football has been in steady decline in recent years (backlink), and unless Spain’s gargantuan clubs adapt and usher in a new wave of players, this is unlikely to change. Yes, Messi is one of – if not the best – players in the history of the game. However, at 33 years old, he epitomises the aging elite in Spanish football.
Koeman, or any other head coach for that matter, would be unable to move Lionel Messi on from Barça – such is the player’s power and prestige. With Messi out of the picture, however, Koeman would have a fresh slate to begin his project. Nobody, outside of Messi, is untouchable. Other aging players, too, could thus move on. Talisman Luis Suarez has already been making headlines as a possible departure, Pique may be allowed to leave, too, as well as the other elder statesmen at the club.
That being said, reports are pointing towards this being a genuine request to move club. So, taking the jump forward in time, to a hypothetical world wherein Messi has left Barça and the Spanish giants have lost their figurehead, one thing is clear: for Ronald Koeman, hope is not lost. In fact, it could be the greatest start for the Dutchman as he approaches his first season at the helm.
Spanish football has been in steady decline in recent years (backlink), and unless Spain’s gargantuan clubs adapt and usher in a new wave of players, this is unlikely to change. Yes, Messi is one of – if not the best – players in the history of the game. However, at 33 years old, he epitomises the aging elite in Spanish football.
Koeman, or any other head coach for that matter, would be unable to move Lionel Messi on from Barça – such is the player’s power and prestige. With Messi out of the picture, however, Koeman would have a fresh slate to begin his project. Nobody, outside of Messi, is untouchable. Other aging players, too, could thus move on. Talisman Luis Suarez has already been making headlines as a possible departure, Pique may be allowed to leave, too, as well as the other elder statesmen at the club.
Koeman was appointed on a four-and-a-half-year contract at the Netherlands, taking him up to and after the 2022 World Cup. He achieved runner-up in the Nations League led the Oranje to their first major tournament since Euro 2012, but will not manage them for the Euros next year.
So, for Koeman and Barcelona, a new dawn would be approaching. Furthermore, the wages freed up by the departure of Messi – and others – would allow for Koeman to invest properly and bring in the targets he actually wants at the club, previously a stumbling block for managers at Barcelona. Koeman, unlike Quique Setién and Ernesto Valverde, would be able to build a squad of his own; it would be a squad capable of playing his style, his system and a squad that wants to play for him. The Barcelona job may no longer be the poisoned chalice.
Barça, in recent years, have had the highest expectations. Nothing short of success on both a domestic and continental front has sufficed. Even though Barcelona’s squad is not – at this current juncture – strong enough to overcome Real Madrid domestically, or the likes of PSG and Bayern Munich on the continental stage. Quite simply, this expectation, and subsequent pressure, has been brought by Messi.
With Messi having left, taking all that expectation with him, Koeman may find himself given time to build his squad and time to succeed. It is unlikely he would be required to win La Liga, and certainly not the Champions League, with a squad lacking Messi. Look no further than Barça’s 8-2 defeat to Bayern to witness the effect pressure can have on a team, even one flooded with world class talent can crumble. The likelihood of Koeman’s Barcelona facing similar levels of expectation is minimal.
The alleviation of pressure brings freedom to experiment, not just with systems and players, but freedom to bring through and reward youth prospects from La Masia (Barcelona’s academy) with first team chances. Over the years, La Masia has produced players such as Iniesta, Puyol, Xavi and, of course, Messi. The academy is renowned for bringing through stars but chances have been limited recently, with Ansu Fati and Riqui Puig the only players to make the breakthrough in recent years. With the freedom granted by Messi’s departure, perhaps we will again witness the birth of stars coming through at the Catalan club.
Barça, in recent years, have had the highest expectations. Nothing short of success on both a domestic and continental front has sufficed. Even though Barcelona’s squad is not – at this current juncture – strong enough to overcome Real Madrid domestically, or the likes of PSG and Bayern Munich on the continental stage. Quite simply, this expectation, and subsequent pressure, has been brought by Messi.
With Messi having left, taking all that expectation with him, Koeman may find himself given time to build his squad and time to succeed. It is unlikely he would be required to win La Liga, and certainly not the Champions League, with a squad lacking Messi. Look no further than Barça’s 8-2 defeat to Bayern to witness the effect pressure can have on a team, even one flooded with world class talent can crumble. The likelihood of Koeman’s Barcelona facing similar levels of expectation is minimal.
The alleviation of pressure brings freedom to experiment, not just with systems and players, but freedom to bring through and reward youth prospects from La Masia (Barcelona’s academy) with first team chances. Over the years, La Masia has produced players such as Iniesta, Puyol, Xavi and, of course, Messi. The academy is renowned for bringing through stars but chances have been limited recently, with Ansu Fati and Riqui Puig the only players to make the breakthrough in recent years. With the freedom granted by Messi’s departure, perhaps we will again witness the birth of stars coming through at the Catalan club.
Xavi, Iniesta and Puyol amassed over 1300 appearances for Barcelona over twenty years.
It is no secret that Ronald Koeman is not the long-term choice at Barcelona. Despite his history at the club, forward-thinking management and impressive CV, Xavi is the preferred long-term option to take over at Camp Nou. The Barcelona legend is currently managing at Qatari side Al-Sadd, but without much experience in a managerial capacity, Barcelona were hesitant to appoint Xavi and risk him failing. Thus, Koeman was selected as a short-term appointment, keeping the dugout warm for Xavi and trying paper over Barcelona’s many cracks whilst doing so.
The departure of the club’s greatest ever player, though, was unforeseen. It was only last week that Josep Bartomeu affirmed Messi’s commitment to Barcelona, insisting he would stay. The news that Messi wants to leave surprised everyone. So, although Koeman was not intended to be tasked with rebuilding Barcelona (an opportunity that was supposed to be saved for Xavi), Messi’s decision has awarded Koeman that chance.
If Messi is to leave Barcelona, Koeman has the opportunity to put a stamp on the Barcelona squad, and prove himself worthy of the job on a long-term basis. The allure of Barcelona was enough to convince Koeman to take the stop-gap job at Camp Nou, yet Messi’s decision has landed the ex-Netherlands manager the biggest of opportunities. Should Messi leave, he will have the freedom, finances and time to build a Barcelona side in his image – one that can compete again amongst football’s elite.
Whether Messi begins next season at Barcelona is, at this moment, unclear. Outwardly, Ronald Koeman will have to appear to make every effort to keep the Argentinian but, should he leave, Koeman might allow himself a wry smile. It is, for him, the chance of a lifetime.
The departure of the club’s greatest ever player, though, was unforeseen. It was only last week that Josep Bartomeu affirmed Messi’s commitment to Barcelona, insisting he would stay. The news that Messi wants to leave surprised everyone. So, although Koeman was not intended to be tasked with rebuilding Barcelona (an opportunity that was supposed to be saved for Xavi), Messi’s decision has awarded Koeman that chance.
If Messi is to leave Barcelona, Koeman has the opportunity to put a stamp on the Barcelona squad, and prove himself worthy of the job on a long-term basis. The allure of Barcelona was enough to convince Koeman to take the stop-gap job at Camp Nou, yet Messi’s decision has landed the ex-Netherlands manager the biggest of opportunities. Should Messi leave, he will have the freedom, finances and time to build a Barcelona side in his image – one that can compete again amongst football’s elite.
Whether Messi begins next season at Barcelona is, at this moment, unclear. Outwardly, Ronald Koeman will have to appear to make every effort to keep the Argentinian but, should he leave, Koeman might allow himself a wry smile. It is, for him, the chance of a lifetime.
Written by - James McEvoy
Edited by - 3-At-The-Back
Edited by - 3-At-The-Back