Barcelona without Lionel Messi: What if he leaves the club?

You could sense it was a special moment. A band of footballers, clad in stripes that could only be associated with one club, were staring up at the giant screen in the stadium. A very familiar silhouette was dancing through a procession of defenders, leaving them in his wake in a manner that had long since reminded the old timers of one of the game’s untouchable Gods.All the cameras seemed to be focussed on a particular figure at the front of this gang of very special footballers. Lionel Messi was staring up at the screen with a frankly curious look on his face – as if he couldn’t decide what all the fuss was about. Barcelona’s prodigal son had proceeded to equal, and then break, Telmo Zarra‘s long-standing record of 251 La Liga goals.But it is almost as if the world is tired of Messi’s exploits. Barcelona – and Messi himself – have been rocked by a number of scandals, both on and off the field. The dark cloud hanging over the Camp Nou has shifted public opinion rather dramatically, with onlookers suggesting that they knew all along that it was all too good to be true.Even so, to seriously consider Messi’s departure would be quite premature, even as the man himself has issued a statement that was out of character. At this stage, this is a hypothetical exercise – one that is fascinating from a purely footballing perspective.

#1 How will Barcelona shape up without Messi?

Neymar and Luis Suarez – Barcelona’s mainstays?

Even the departure of their lynchpin is unlikely to effect a change in their formation. The 4-3-3 is as much a part of Barcelona’s DNA as anything else. Johan Cruyff’s influence is still very much in the air in La Masia, with teams of all age groups of the famed academy religiously adhering to the formation.

The Messi we see today has reverted to the role of the inverted winger that he excelled during his early days at Barcelona, but also playing in a deeper role as an advanced midfielder. Much like those days, there is a jet-heeled Brazilian to keep him company on the opposite flank – the peerless Ronaldinho has made way for current Brazilian captain Neymar.

Neymar is Messi’s successor

The prodigy has made a remarkable transformation to the European game since joining the Catalans a little over a year ago – slotting in seamlessly into Barcelona’s playing style right from the word go. He has sadly not been given the credit he deserves – Santos’ erstwhile Prima Donna has shown a remarkable level of emotional maturity to understand what it takes to succeed at the very top.

He has taken on the responsibility of the captaining his country in his stride. And he has shown more than just a few signs that he has the ability to take on Messi’s responsibilities in due time. He certainly looks all set to be yet another name in Barcelona’s list of Brazilian heroes.

Luis Suarez is pure quality

The addition of Luis Suarez was seen as a puzzling one last summer – the Uruguayan’s latest indiscretion at the World Cup ought to have made him an outcast. Luis Enrique’s motives were made clearer when he moved Messi deeper to function as the chief playmaker.

Suarez was brought in to share the burden of goal-scoring with Messi. And in the event of the Argentine’s departure, we should see his abilities in front of goal take centre-stage. There has been a prevalent opinion that Suarez has submitted to Messi’s will since his arrival.

It is true that the frightening directness that has characterised Suarez’s game for long now has been sacrificed for a more nuanced, balanced approach. But that may have been a conscious effort on the part of the striker to go out of his way to bed into the way things are done at Barcelona. Remember that the bite marks on Giorgio Chiellini have probably only begun to fade right about now. This is a man who desperately wants to show he belongs with the Catalans.

#2 Who will replace Messi?

Marco Reus – is he the one to replace Lionel Messi?

Even so, it seems inconceivable that Barcelona will not invest in the transfer market, with their pockets fit to burst from the windfall that would result from a Messi sale. And since we are indulging ourselves in a hypothetical exercise here, we will not take into account Barcelona’s transfer ban right now.

Also, the exit of a player like Messi would likely take its own course with political considerations having a big say; his exit could very well happen after Barcelona serve the ban handed out to them. There is also the distinct possibility that the Court of Arbitration for Sport will overturn the ban in due time.

Conventional wisdom suggests that a big-money move for a ready-made replacement is the way to go – both Andre Villas Boas and now Brendan Rodgers will attest to that sad fact.

Marco Reus is a worthy successor

The Borussia Dortmund man is far more at home on the left flank, or even up front as he was in his Borussia Mönchengladbach days. But it is hard to argue against his sheer quality, and it is a no-brainer that he would certainly excel wherever you choose to play him. The significant advantage of signing Reus would be that he is exactly the kind of big-name player who would appease the fans.

And with Barcelona seemingly torn in the philosophy they wish to implement on the field – with the team boasting a variety of playing styles – Reus’ arrival would tip the scales in favour of a more direct, free-flowing Barcelona. The purists would argue that this is nothing short of a betrayal, when Barcelona have traditionally been associated with their particular possession-based playing style.

But with a forward trio of Neymar, Suarez and Reus, and with Ivan Rakitic pulling the strings in midfield, it would almost be criminal to deny the world the chance to see this team burst forward on the counter-attack.

Curiously, the Barcelona team we saw under Frank Rijkaard was a team that was not averse to a direct approach – Rafael Marquez’s pin-point delivery from the center of defense in particular offering that team another dimension. Rather, it has been the stupendous success of Guardiola’s reign that has seen this team play in the same manner as they trudge along the path, regardless of no longer possessing the personnel to execute such a game-plan.

The problem has been in being stuck in limbo, with the team either unwilling or unable to commit to a particular playing style. Reus’ arrival in the wake of Messi’s departure could just be the jolt that sees this team take up a new playing style whole-heartedly. Perform or perish, is it not?

#3 Possible destination for Messi?

Bayern Munich

The irresistible prospect of Messi once again playing under Guardiola is too delicious to ignore. The Spaniard has insisted that he would not consider taking up the job at Barcelona again. No worries, this parallel universe is too kind to not unite master and pupil again.

Bayern Munich are in excellent financial health – they have recently paid off their stadium debt sixteen years earlier than it was due. They would certainly consider breaking the bank – and then some – to land a player who would guarantee they stay at the top of the footballing pyramid for years to come.

A number of player sales would have to supplement Messi’s arrival – and as such, offering up makeweight deals (possibly Swiss world cup hero Xherdan Shaqiri?) to even the scales in the deal could possibly ease Barcelona’s concerns.

Messi’s recent statements have perhaps betrayed a frustration at Barcelona’s inability to challenge for European supremacy again. This will almost certainly not be a concern at Bayern. Domestic success is virtually guaranteed. And with Guardiola at the helm, you can bet on them being a major force to contend with at the business end of the Champions League.

And with a number of key players at Bayern now entering the twilight of their careers, Messi at the peak of his powers may just be what they need to ensure dominance in the intensely competitive European game.

All in all, it is a move that would be welcomed by both parties – with concerns of both competence and compatibility addressed sufficiently.

#4 La Liga\'s loss is Ronaldo\'s gain

The Spanish La Liga would lose its Number 1 headline maker. His recent elevation to the Champions League’s all-time top scorer just another statistic to wonder about. The man who had hoped to pip him to Raul’s mark on that list, however, would wake up with a smile every day for the remainder of his time at Real Madrid.

Cristiano Ronaldo had been languishing in the shadow of Messi’s exploits for a few years, although the Portuguese has made up significant ground over the past year or so. A second Ballon d’Or last year is likely to be followed by a third one this time around – and Ronaldo will know that it has all come about thanks to the new-found stability he enjoys at Real Madrid.

The stability and continuity that had been a feature of Barcelona’s most successful phase has already gone out the window. Messi’s departure will undoubtedly be a huge dent on their hopes of regaining the Liga title, regardless of who they bring in to replace him. As such, they may have to count on Real Madrid’s propensity to self-destruct. But as long as Carlo Ancelotti is at the helm, it looks like Los Blancos will only extend their superiority over the rest of the league.

Talk of La Liga losing its fanbase may be premature – it would not be the first time that Barcelona have lost a crucial player, and they have always bounced back. Barcelona will always remain one of the most lucrative destinations for the very best in the game, and it is not ludicrous to suggest that a new, vibrant team could lift the title again. That was how the Guardiola revolution came about anyway.

Ronaldo seems set to push further up the pitch in an evolution to an out-and-out centre forward in the years to come. And with the support he has behind him, Messi’s departure would seal his monotony over the Pichichi trophy for a few years to come. Consequently, he would comfortably ease past Messi’s all-time La Liga record in due time – he currently has 197 goals to Messi’s 253.

On a personal level, Ronaldo will know that it has been the presence of his rival in the colours of Barcelona that has spurred him to heights few have ever even contemplated. Messi would feel much the same way, and it is hard to see anyone rivalling the Argentine in any other league.

#5 The way forward for Messi and Barcelona

The chances of Messi exiting the club that has shaped his career still seem remote, at best. Both club and player are synonymous with each other, and on balance, both parties will probably reconcile. It is rather painful to refer to them as “both parties”.

The story of the impoverished prodigy taken under the wing of a club that nurtured his talent to unimaginable heights deserves better than a nasty ending that would shock the world. Especially when it probably has very little to do with football itself. All this talk of the Barcelona team in crisis is just that – talk.

The simple fact of the matter is that Messi and Barcelona have the best chance of success together.

And football fans the world over will be hoping that the Argentine will be kissing the club badge for years to come.