Could Messi Be About to Play his Final Game for Barcelona?

21/05/21 3679

Barcelona have just one match remaining this season and that comes in La Liga against Eibar away from home. There is nothing on the match for either team, with Eibar currently bottom of the table and with no chance of avoiding the drop this season.

Barcelona were hoping they would come into this fixture with a chance of winning the title but a disappointing 2-1 defeat at home against Celta Vigo on the weekend, means they have dropped out of contention.

Barcelona opened the scoring in that match thanks to a header by Lionel Messi. The defeat means Barcelona are guaranteed to finish outside the top two in La Liga for the first time since 2007/08.

It is a major setback for the club as the two teams from Madrid will finish above them in the table, regardless of the results on the final weekend of the season.

There is even a possibility Barcelona could finish in fourth place and although that will still mean Champions League qualification, the club may yet face sanctions from UEFA that will see them banned from the tournament.

So, what does all this mean for the future of club legend, Messi? The Argentine’s contract expires this summer and he has yet to agree an extension. Speaking after the defeat by Celta Vigo, manager Ronald Koeman said, “He has shown today it is impossible to play without him.

“He is still the best player in the world. He has already scored 30 goals that have earned this team a lot of points.

“It is a question for Leo to answer. As far as I'm concerned, and the team is concerned, we hope he stays because if we're not going to have Leo we will have serious doubts about who is going to score so many goals.”

It is a huge admission from the manager to come out an say the team will struggle without Messi. Everyone knows they would miss both his goals and creativity immensely but it is not often a manager will say to the media it is impossible for a team to play without a specific player.

The comments could be a last ditch attempt to persuade Messi to sign a new deal at the Camp Nou but it is no secret Barcelona are in financial difficulty.

Manchester City have long been linked with a move for the forward and they may have come close to singing Messi last summer. Pep Guardiola is losing Sergio Aguero and although Messi is not the same type of player, he could easily replace his fellow countryman in the City squad.

The 33-year-old in sure to demand significant wages, which many clubs may be unable to meet but Manchester City are one team who could offer close to his desired salary.

Paris Saint-Germain are another European club who could afford to sign Messi and he may be tempted by the prospect of linking up with Kylian Mbappé and Neymar next season, the latter of which has recently signed a new deal at the Parc de Princes.