Rest assured, information about Lionel Messi's future will swarm in the coming weeks.
At the end of his contract in June, the Argentine, considered by many to be the best player in history, has been free to join the club of his choice since January 1.
And this, until a new lease is signed at Barça… or elsewhere.
Present with the Blaugranas since 2000, Messi has his future in hand for the first time.
A prospect that worries Catalan fans and leaders.
The unfortunate 2014 World Cup finalist wanted to leave his club in the summer of 2020. But then a competitor was needed capable of paying more than 100 million euros in transfer to Barça.
All in addition to a salary difficult to meet in times of health crisis: between 50 and 75 million euros net per year according to the estimates of its current emoluments.
His end of contract is a game-changer for the candidates since there would be “only” the salary to be paid and the classic signing bonus.
The greats of Europe are watching the situation closely.
PSG is one of the legitimate contenders (with Manchester City or Manchester United) and Leonardo, sporting director, recently communicated this during an interview with France Football.
"I do not know, on the other hand, if Messi in Paris, it is feasible, launched the leader.
But we are seated at the large table of those who are following the file closely.
Actually, no, we're not seated yet, but our chair is just reserved just in case.
"
A financial puzzle
Seemingly innocuous and full of common sense, this little sentence lit the fuse in the debates of the presidential election of Barça, still undated after a first postponement.
Monday evening, Joan Laporta, president from 2003 to 2010 and favorite candidate in the polls, was publicly annoyed with Leonardo's comments.
“What I would ask […] is that PSG do not strive to destabilize Barça.
We did not do anything to them […] I do not believe that this is correct, ”he declared on Catalan television.
The match is launched three weeks before the knockout stages of the Champions League (February 16).
Qualified as close to the Argentine clan for having been the president of his first successes and his first (big) contracts, Laporta seems well placed to convince La Pulga to conclude his European career in Barcelona.
But he and the other declared candidates (Victor Font, Toni Freixa, Emili Rousaud) know the financial dangers hanging over the club in the 5 Champions League.
To convince Messi, sportingly ambitious despite his past 33 years, it would be necessary to surround him with new players and therefore invest while guaranteeing him a last satisfactory contract.
A puzzle while one figure in particular makes you dizzy: 900 million euros in debt.
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Nobody knows Messi's future today.
However, in 21 years of presence, the Argentine has never been so close to a start.
And it is all of Barcelona that is wondering.
