Barcelona has been through a lot in the past few months. The improbable exit from the Champions League knockout stage brought distress to the club. Players in the dressing were not hopeful with the structure of Barca. The board received heavy criticism for its policies. President Bartomeu was at fault as well with the team failing to reach the European finals yet again.
Lionel Messi looks for prosperity through unity
The most shocking news that pushed the club board to its limit was their captain and star man Lionel Messi handing in a transfer request to leave the club this summer. The player was not at all happy with the board and pointed out their plans for the future are futile. Leo demanded either he leaves or the board retires along with the president.
ALSO READ:
- Why Barcelona’s €25m deal for this richly talented 19-year-old starlet is a smart move
- Barcelona Fail In Their Recent Attempt Of Completing A Major Deal
However, Josep Bartomeu continued his reign at Barcelona and blocked every possible move Messi could use to leave during the transfer break. Fans were not happy with such an act even though they were about to lose their talisman. In the end, the six-time Balon D’or winner stayed put at Camp Nou. Messi was vocal again as his best friend Luis Suarez exited Barcelona to join league rivals Atletico Madrid the previous week.
Ronald Koeman: Playing his cards right
It seems the Argentine has called it even after all the disagreements. Standard via Sport reports he wants all the fans to unite and hope the best is yet to arrive. Messi says he is focused to give the fans what they really deserve which is the joy of football. It is their sole objective. Newly-appointed manager Ronald Koeman expressed earlier he wanted to build his squad around the best. Now that Leo has called it a truce, Koeman will be able to apply his strategy more efficiently.
The Dutch boss had a much convincing win in his first competitive match for the club as Barcelona routed Villareal 4-0 at home. Lionel Messi netted his first goal of the 2020/21 season. He also told Sport that leaving everything that has happened behind, they must collectively put effort to achieve what they can in this campaign.
Koeman’s Barca has a fly start and trying to do some business in the transfer market as well. The club is about to replace their Portuguese freight-back Nelson Semedo with Ajax youngster Sergino Dest. The 19-year-old is in Barcelona to complete his move with his medical and bolster the defence.
