According to multiple reports, Lionel Messi has informed FC Barcelona that he intends to terminate his contract. There are some potential legal hold-ups, but this is the real-est it’s seemed yet. Ask me any questions you have, and I’ll try to answer as many as I can over the next 90 minutes or so.
That’s a wrap on today. If you missed it live, there’s a lot of fun stuff to scroll through and read back at your leisure. More Messi content is on the way, too. Thanks for all the great Qs. For at least a day, you can all now technically consider the possibility of your favorite team signing Lionel Messi. Well, unless you’re a Barcelona fan.
OK! I tried to answer as many as I could, and if I didn't get to yours, it's only because someone else already basically asked the same question. I've got a couple more minutes, so if you've got something you want answered, toss it in here and I'll get to it.
Going to be weird seeing him in Naples, forlornly crushing blow at a team Christmas party with the Camorra. But whatever it takes to finally prove his quality to Argentina fans I guess...
If he does go to Inter this may be the first time that a Player buys property in X location story is actually true. And don't forget the more amenable tax laws in Italy.
What is the best landing spot for Messi if him leaving the club is motivation to cement his legacy as the G.O.A.T (even if it is frustration with the incompetency of management)?
Leo "Marginal Gain" Messi on the right (Salah as 9 and Firmino as 10) in a 4-2-3-1 featuring a Thiago-Fabinho double-pivot. The efficiency gains of buying young players entering their primes are a thing of the past.
United is the one team he'd actually fit in and fix, right? Solid defense that doesn't need him to press, desperately needs ball progression, creativity and shots (unless Happy Pogba comes back). Anywhere else is gilding the lily or redesigning a system - which is still worth doing, I suppose...
forget the fact that he'd make more than everyone else on the team combined and we tried to take out a loan bc of Covid so theoretically theres no money in the bank --- but would Tottenham even be the favorite to win the Prem if they got Messi?? he'd definitely fill the stadium
Realistically there are only a handful of clubs in the world that can afford his salary, right? One is Real (no), one is United (doubtful), one is Bayern (don’t think they would want him), final three are Juve, City, and PSG. Out of those three which is most likely to sign him?
I can't believe Messi would want to come to England. I have been to Barcelona. The cities do differ somewhat. Ronaldo said that the only issue with Manchester was that it was too far north!!
I feel like we're entering new age for greatness with Messi and Ronaldo. Jordan was the best at age 36 in a sport that's very tough physically. Soccer is even tougher. Those two could shift around the field to maximize their skills and superior body conditioning and play till they're 45, probably. Thoughts?
If Messi goes, is there any reason to keep any of Suarez, Pique, Rakatic, Busquets, Alba, Umtiti, Vidal, and prob many others? Might as well dump all of them now, even if it means bottoming out this coming season, and start building for the future.
trying to imagine this were the nba and messi is forcing a trade under contract...what's the most logical (or wildest) swap deal you can think of? Messi + Coutinho to liverpool for Mane, Keita, and cash?
Where does this concept of which teams can"afford" Messi come from? He's on a free transfer. He's on 19m a year at Barca. Surely with a free transfer, multiple teams could afford his salary on a 3 year contract?
That’s a wrap on today. If you missed it live, there’s a lot of fun stuff to scroll through and read back at your leisure. More Messi content is on the way, too. Thanks for all the great Qs. For at least a day, you can all now technically consider the possibility of your favorite team signing Lionel Messi. Well, unless you’re a Barcelona fan.
OK! I tried to answer as many as I could, and if I didn't get to yours, it's only because someone else already basically asked the same question. I've got a couple more minutes, so if you've got something you want answered, toss it in here and I'll get to it.
Going to be weird seeing him in Naples, forlornly crushing blow at a team Christmas party with the Camorra. But whatever it takes to finally prove his quality to Argentina fans I guess...
I feel like Bayern at the very least should make troll bid.
my childhood just cried a couple tears
Shit's getting political now. The president of Catalonia is bidding Messi adieu
https://twitter.com/QuimTorraiPla/status/1298327109459378179
Lets get #Messi2Leeds trending. We need to make that Newell's Old Boys reunion happen.
If he does go to Inter this may be the first time that a Player buys property in X location story is actually true. And don't forget the more amenable tax laws in Italy.
From Goal: "Sources have confirmed to Goal that the 33-year-old has sent a fax to Barcelona..."
Alright, everyone realign your thinking to what club a 70 year old man would choose.
"I'm faxing my talents to Lancashire."
From Puyol
https://twitter.com/Carles5puyol/status/1298315936592797697
How delighted is Txiki Bergiristain right now?
Is there a funnier outcome than PSG? Bartomeu could finally say he fulfilled his promise to reunite Messi and Neymar!
Messi gonna look great in sky blue.
Hear me out: Messi to Atalanta
Chelsea could really use another winger
Are Inter Miami now favorites to win MLS with Cavani, Bale, and Messi? Wait whats that? They didn't actually get any of those people?
Might have to skip class so I can get these tweets/takes about Bartomeu off
This is going to sound very dumb, but is there any way Messi would make City worse?
(I'll take my public shaming off the air.)
Se queda.
We need a lebron style “decision” with Ray Hudson commentating
What is the best landing spot for Messi if him leaving the club is motivation to cement his legacy as the G.O.A.T (even if it is frustration with the incompetency of management)?
Leo "Marginal Gain" Messi on the right (Salah as 9 and Firmino as 10) in a 4-2-3-1 featuring a Thiago-Fabinho double-pivot. The efficiency gains of buying young players entering their primes are a thing of the past.
It pains me to say this, but he would have been so much fun on a Wenger team
United is the one team he'd actually fit in and fix, right? Solid defense that doesn't need him to press, desperately needs ball progression, creativity and shots (unless Happy Pogba comes back). Anywhere else is gilding the lily or redesigning a system - which is still worth doing, I suppose...
forget the fact that he'd make more than everyone else on the team combined and we tried to take out a loan bc of Covid so theoretically theres no money in the bank --- but would Tottenham even be the favorite to win the Prem if they got Messi?? he'd definitely fill the stadium
Realistically there are only a handful of clubs in the world that can afford his salary, right? One is Real (no), one is United (doubtful), one is Bayern (don’t think they would want him), final three are Juve, City, and PSG. Out of those three which is most likely to sign him?
If United have to make a choice between Messi or Sancho, which deal makes more sense?
Assuming he leaves and nothing else major happens, where does Barça finish next La Liga season? What about in the Champions League (or the Europa...)?
suarez, messi, and ronaldo to ajax
Has there ever been a better player come available on a free?
Surprised by so many saying Bayern. Is there anything to that link other than the fact Bayern are (relatively) rich and good?
What are the three most likely landing spots for him?
Where could he reasonably go?
Someone please just kill me.
Any chance FSG opens up the purse strings?
Madrid preseident Florentino Pérez just watched Raul lead his Madrid cubs to the Champions League Youth Tournament title. He's having a hell of day!
I think we can all agree that when the dust settles What is a burofax? won Google Analytics today.
I can't believe Messi would want to come to England. I have been to Barcelona. The cities do differ somewhat. Ronaldo said that the only issue with Manchester was that it was too far north!!
If there is a burofax, does that imply the existence of a burofox?
Poor Conte's already said that he wants to leave. And hasn't he lost 30 million or something to dodgy deals? Messi and Conte could have commiserated.
I feel like we're entering new age for greatness with Messi and Ronaldo. Jordan was the best at age 36 in a sport that's very tough physically. Soccer is even tougher. Those two could shift around the field to maximize their skills and superior body conditioning and play till they're 45, probably. Thoughts?
Realistically, how many peak years does Messi have left?
If Messi goes, is there any reason to keep any of Suarez, Pique, Rakatic, Busquets, Alba, Umtiti, Vidal, and prob many others? Might as well dump all of them now, even if it means bottoming out this coming season, and start building for the future.
trying to imagine this were the nba and messi is forcing a trade under contract...what's the most logical (or wildest) swap deal you can think of? Messi + Coutinho to liverpool for Mane, Keita, and cash?
How was your breakfast?
after today's performance, when is the emergency, "patson daka to liverpool" chat?
Where does this concept of which teams can"afford" Messi come from? He's on a free transfer. He's on 19m a year at Barca. Surely with a free transfer, multiple teams could afford his salary on a 3 year contract?
Love this headline so much
https://twitter.com/glivesport/status/1298320773296410625?s=21
Ripples question:
City = it cements Foden as a super sub, which he may be fed up with, and Mahrez as a rotation guy?
Juventus = it should work with Ronaldo/Dybala/Messi up front
Inter = Messi/Lukaku/Eriksen (if Conte ever plays him)
PSG = what happens to Di Maria, I suppose, but the depth behind that is what, Verrati, Icardi, IDK?
Does Di Maria play RB next season?