Lionel Messi Leaving Barcelona

[Chaplin]

Sad day.

Barcelona announces Lionel Messi will leave club due to financial obstacles

Lionel Messi had a deal to stay with Barcelona, but financial issues prevented it from getting done.

sports.yahoo.com

 

[Ronin]

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[Stout]

Trouble is, who is going to stump up enough of a transfer fee/offer enough of a salary to sign him? He's going to demand well above top dollar. Might not be a suitor.

 

[Chaplin]

Trouble is, who is going to stump up enough of a transfer fee/offer enough of a salary to sign him? He's going to demand well above top dollar. Might not be a suitor.

Absolutely there will be. He’ll easily go to City or PSG.

Strange that they couldn’t get this done, especially after they signed Messi’s buddy Sergio Aguero.

 

[Stout]

Absolutely there will be. He’ll easily go to City or PSG.

Strange that they couldn’t get this done, especially after they signed Messi’s buddy Sergio Aguero.

But...for 200 million? 300 million? To pay him a million a week in wages? Forget silly money, this is going to take insane money.

 

[Chaplin]

But...for 200 million? 300 million? To pay him a million a week in wages? Forget silly money, this is going to take insane money.

No question it will be insane, but he'll definitely land at a prime club. No question at all. 100% certainty.

 

[Stout]

No question it will be insane, but he'll definitely land at a prime club. No question at all. 100% certainty.

No doubt! I think it would be compelling if they couldn't conjure a deal because he's TOO big, he had to play out his contract, and sign on a free. Can you IMAGINE the agent fees and the wages? Woof!

 

[Dback Jon]

No question it will be insane, but he'll definitely land at a prime club. No question at all. 100% certainty.

So no chance for the Phoenix Rising?

 

[Stout]

So no chance for the Phoenix Rising?

Naw, he's bound for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds!

 

[Ronin]

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[dreamcastrocks]

To me, he goes to either PSG, or I'm calling my shot now, NYCFC or LA Galaxy in MLS. (assuming he truly doesn't go back to Barca, which is what I think ultimately happens)

 

[Stout]

Looking like PSG. There's no way he goes to the MLS--the money isn't there.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Ligue 1 going to be boring as usual.
It is pretty amusing that Barca lost him for nothing.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Looking like PSG. There's no way he goes to the MLS--the money isn't there.

Same was said about Beckham. I think they can do it if they really wanted.

 

[Stout]

Same was said about Beckham. I think they can do it if they really wanted.

Beckham took waaaaaaaaaay less money and wasn't the player Messi is at this stage of his career, though. Can I see Messi going there in 3, maybe 4 years after winning some more titles and trophies? Absolutely. Now? He's going to want to stay in Europe and show Barca up.

 

[Ronin]

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[dreamcastrocks]

Beckham took waaaaaaaaaay less money and wasn't the player Messi is at this stage of his career, though. Can I see Messi going there in 3, maybe 4 years after winning some more titles and trophies? Absolutely. Now? He's going to want to stay in Europe and show Barca up.

While I agree with everything you have said, Messi in the past has expressed his desire to go to the MLS. If PSG doesn't sign him, I'm not sure even City can afford him this window.
That leaves virtually nobody in Europe that can pay his current wages, which makes a ton more teams open as an option...including the MLS.

 

[Stout]

While I agree with everything you have said, Messi in the past has expressed his desire to go to the MLS. If PSG doesn't sign him, I'm not sure even City can afford him this window.
That leaves virtually nobody in Europe that can pay his current wages, which makes a ton more teams open as an option...including the MLS.

I didn't realize he was available on a free transfer--thought he still had a year left on his deal. So, yeah, he can definitely go anywhere that can afford his wages. As I said, I seriously doubt it's the MLS--yet. After 3 or 4 years, I expect him to go there, though.

 

[Ronin]

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[Zeno]

While I agree with everything you have said, Messi in the past has expressed his desire to go to the MLS. If PSG doesn't sign him, I'm not sure even City can afford him this window.
That leaves virtually nobody in Europe that can pay his current wages, which makes a ton more teams open as an option...including the MLS.

Messi does have a home in Miami and Beckham is part owner of the Miami MLS franchise, I would not be shocked if after PSG contract is done he ends up there.

 

[Stout]

Messi does have a home in Miami and Beckham is part owner of the Miami MLS franchise, I would not be shocked if after PSG contract is done he ends up there.

Sounds like a likely destination, then, after this deal is up.

 

[Ronin]

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[coyoteshockeyfan]

Messi will show up in MLS if/when he decides he wants an ownership stake