'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Barcelona legend, Lionel Messi has had another successful season, winning both the La Liga title and the Copa Del Rey trophy. The Argentine was really impressive, bagging 44 goals and 14 assists for the Blaugrana in all competitions during the campaign.
It is true that the playmaker was fantastic last term, however, his best years are now right behind him.
In 2013, the attacker became the first player in history to win the Ballon d'Or in four consecutive years.
His most successful period came during the Pep Guardiola's term when the Argentine spearheaded Barcelona's golden era and took Europe by storm with his astonishing performances.
Messi was scoring at will and was regarded by many as the greatest footballer in history. But it is quite unfortunate that the Argentine has failed to reproduce the kind of brilliance he displayed during those years.
From losing his superiority in the Ballon d'Or race against Cristiano Ronaldo to failing in the UEFA Champions League for the last 3 years, the Argentine has struggled on top of the football world.
Don't get it wrong, it will be a big mistake to underrate the abilities of the Barca maestro because Messi is still one of the most impressive players on the planet.
What the Argentine has missed is the adequate support from his team which is required to keep him rolling. Cristiano Ronaldo would not have dominated the last 3 years without the presence of amazing superstars like Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, and Marcelo in his team.
While the likes of Xavi, Iniesta, David Villa and Pedro created the right atmosphere for Messi to succeed in the early stages of his career, this current Barcelona side has struggled to support the Argentine to that kind of a level.
Therefore, Barcelona need to recruit amazing superstars who can help the playmaker to move forward and regain his dominance.
Below are 5 players that the Blaugrana can sign to make their hero unstoppable next season:
#3. Marco Verratti
Considering Pep Guardiola's tenure at the club, one area that this Barcelona side has failed ridiculously is in the midfield. Club legend, Xavi Hernandez left the Camp Nou in 2015 and the failure to adequately replace him came back to hurt the Blaugrana.
So, the Catalan giants need to fill the void that the Spaniard left behind in the team by signing another world-class superstar to replace him. One player that perfectly suits the role is Paris Saint Germain's Marco Verratti.
Verratti has been on Barcelona's radar for quite some time. This is the man that Xavi himself has repeatedly approved to take over his role at the Camp Nou.
The Italian is one of the best midfielders in the world right now and that is why PSG have been reluctant in letting him go. With the Parisians having FFP rules to comply with, this could be the ultimate chance for Barcelona to snatch the midfielder as the French outfit would rather part ways with him than losing Neymar or Kylian Mbappe.
Verratti is a decent player with plenty of abilities. His nice vision, fantastic passing, and team effort are those qualities that set him apart from other midfielders.
The recruitment of the Italian into the Barcelona squad would be a big boost to Lionel Messi. The Argentine will be able to focus on his attacking duties without necessarily dropping deep in midfield.
Verratti will also ensure that Messi will not be short of chances up front, thereby giving the attacker the privilege to score even more goals.
#2. Christian Eriksen
It is not news anymore that Barcelona lost a vital gem in the squad recently. After serving the club for 22 years, veteran midfielder, Andres Iniesta decided to cut-off his time at the Camp Nou. The Spaniard left the Blaugrana to join Japanese club Vissel Kobe on a 3-year contract.
Everyone knows that replacing Iniesta will not be an easy task for Barcelona. This is why signing a random player will be of no relevance at the moment. Therefore the Catalans need to recruit a world-class player who can help in reducing the workload on Lionel Messi at the club.
One name that has been linked with a move to the Camp Nou is Tottenham's, Christian Eriksen. He is one of the finest midfielders in Europe at the moment. A very creative player and an awesome game controller, his signing will definitely help Messi to return to his obvious best.
The Dane is a good user of the ball, capable of forging an awesome relationship with the Argentine. He can also help in reducing the burden on the playmaker by masterminding the midfield with his decent passing, intelligent movement and creativity in the attacking half.
#1. Antoine Griezmann
Neymar's departure in 2017 put an end to the famous 'MSN' trio that took Europe by storm and eventually reduced Barcelona's attacking strength.
Even though the Blaugrana were one of the most impressive attacking teams on the planet last season, it was Lionel Messi who carried a very large percentage of the offensive duties all by himself.
The attacker bagged an impressive 44 goals and 14 assists in all competitions for the Blaugrana during the campaign.
However, he could have done even more if there was a player of Neymar's caliber to compliment him in the attack. Therefore, the club must not waste time in recruiting another world-class attacker to join Messi and Suarez up front.
Atletico Madrid superstar, Antoine Griezmann is currently the right man for the job. In fact, the player is expected to join the Blaugrana at the Camp Nou this summer with his release clause falling to €100million.
Signing Griezmann will improve Barcelona's attack dramatically and enable Lionel Messi to run riot in the offensive zone. His creativity will be a great asset and his link-up will enable him to forge a perfect relationship with the Argentine at the Camp Nou.
The 27-year old was one of the deadliest attackers in Europe the last term, bagging an amazing 29 goals and 13 assists in 49 appearances for the Rojiblancos. He will definitely do more if he eventually joins an attacking side like Barcelona.
Conclusion
Recruiting these players looks like replacing Xavi, Iniesta, and Neymar. How would Lionel Messi not thrive? Imagine a midfield made up of Coutinho/Eriksen, Busquets/Rakitic, Verratti/Erkisen and an attack made up of Griezmann/Coutinho, Suarez, and Messi!
Do you agree with this list? Sound off in the comments section below!
