The Lionel Messi Barcelona talks once again came to the centre stage following a fiery quarrel between the club presidential figures such as Joan Laporta and Victor Font on the future relationship of the club with the Argentine legend.
Messi is the most recognized player to have ever played in Barcelona. His philosophy remains a point of discussion in regard to the identity of the club, leadership and vision. In the recent discussion, the two presidential figures gave various opinions on the manner in which Barcelona should handle the legend in the near future.
This issue soon turned out to be one of the hottest points of the discussion. Fans are still ablaze with the fact that Messi left the club and the resounding effect that he has had on the history of Barcelona.
Joan Laporta was the first one to discuss the problem and attempted to soothe the situation. He announced that Barcelona is in the process of developing strategies to give a special tribute to Messi. Laporta states that the club is willing to do justice to the player who contributed to making one of the most successful periods in Barcelona history.
Laporta proposed that the tribute would be a commemoration of the successes of Messi as well as a re-linking the club with its legendary number 10. The Argentine striker spent over 20 years at Barcelona and in the process secured various league titles, national cups as well as the UEFA champions league slabs.
Victor Font however gave a slightly different viewpoint on the debate. Although he also acknowledged the value of Messi, he also doubted how the club should continue to use in the future as well as symbolic gestures.
The swap underscored the extent to which the legacy of Messi continues to dominate when it comes to the direction of Barcelona. The Argentine star is still one of the focal points in the identity of the club, even several years after his departure.
The notion of a tribute match or special ceremony may provide an opportunity to honor the player who marked an epoch at Camp Nou to many fans.
