What can you say about Lionel Messi, that hasn’t been said, written, talked or debated about? Easily one of the greatest ever to have graced the game, even the greatest for some, the Argentine phenomenon has done it all with Barcelona and also has 5 Ballon d’Or awards to his name. However, it is not simply because of his individual brilliance that the diminutive Argentine is considered so good, it is his ability to make those around him raise their notch a level or two, that makes him special.
The Blaugrana are going through a lean patch of sorts after a difficult final year under Luis Enrique, where they were pipped to the league title by arch-rivals Real Madrid, whilst also getting knocked out by Juventus in the quarter-final of the UEFA Champions League. The signings made by the club last summer have not had the desired effect while the overall age and quality of the squad is also deteriorating.
The Blaugrana need a squad upheaval and maybe a change in style to get the maximum out of Lionel Messi’s remaining years at the very top. A new approach is guaranteed under Ernesto Valverde and with that a couple of new signings will be made of superstars, who would try to woo the crowd with their silken silks and tricks.that a couple of new signings will be made of superstars, who would try to woo the crowd with their silken silks and tricks.
Here are 5 players who will benefit from playing alongside Lionel Messi at Barcelona, with the little genius helping them elevate their game to a level we have never witnessed:
#5 Marco Verratti
The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona in recent weeks and it is not difficult to understand why the Catalan club are interested in the Italian. Blessed with an eye for an incredible ball, coupled with his immaculate passing and supreme confidence, Verratti is the perfect heir to Andres Iniesta at Barcelona.
The PSG superstar is excellent at recycling the ball from a deep position, as well as, spraying accurate balls forward towards the forwards. His small stature does not stop him from going for strong challenges, not does it stand in the way of his effortless dribbling. Messi and Verratti can have a connection like the one shared between the Argentine and Iniesta.
It will be wise if Barcelona switch to tiki-taka once again under new manager Ernesto Valverde and if they do that, Verratti will be the perfect man to orchestrate the game from midfield. He has a visionary in Messi, who can drop deep to combine with him, while also making runs expecting teasing balls from deep, while himself providing with some sublime balls to the Italian. It is a mouth-watering prospect for the Barcelona fans and one that might come true very soon.
#4 Ousmane Dembele
The Borussia Dortmund superstar is one of the most coveted youngsters in all of Europe. The Frenchman has carved a name for himself as one of the best dribblers in all of Europe, right in the bracket following Messi himself.
The 20-year-old provided 18 assists while also contributing with 10 goals for Dortmund last season. Dembele can be the missing link stopping Barcelona, unearth the full potential of an unstoppable front four.
If they are able to sign the Frenchman, Dembele can start on the right-wing, use his pace, trickery, direct running, and a willingness to cross, while Neymar can take on the defence with his outlandish skills on the other side. Luis Suarez will be there to finish the chances created by the wizards on the wings and Messi will play as a number 10, providing the front three with defence-opening passes, while himself getting into scoring positions every now and then. It could well be the most mobile, versatile and fluid front four in the history of football.
#3 Thiago Alcantara
Xavi and Andres Iniesta’s heir to the throne at Barcelona, Thiago Alcantara is plying his trade in Bavaria with Bayern Munich and is doing well for himself. The Spaniard enjoyed his best ever campaign in the heart of Bayern’s midfield and has established himself as the best and most complete midfielder in all of Europe.
The 26-year-old was the best performer of a star-studded Bayern Munich side, and lead Europe in most interceptions per game – 4.6, It is an incredible feat to have the most interceptions per game for a defensive player but Thiago is no defensive player, he operates as the furthest of the midfield three and likes to make things happen. He can dribble, is blessed with a good shot and knows how to unlock defences with pin-point through balls.
Barcelona committed a huge mistake in letting their prized possession leave, for they have suffered in the absence of both Xavi and Iniesta (due to the former’s departure and the latter’s injury record). Thiago would have filled in the huge boots of both the midfield stalwarts, for such is his footballing ability, and he would form an excellent combination with Lionel Messi, with the duo leaving no room to breathe for their opponents.
#2 Paulo Dybala
Dybala has often been hailed as Lionel Messi’s heir to the throne of Argentina. There is a feeling of destiny around ‘La Joya’ as if he was the man destined to help Messi claim the one thing, that will ensure his legacy as the greatest to have ever graced the game.
Newly appointed Argentina manager Jorge Sampaoli has already professed that Messi-Dybala is the way forward for La Albiceleste and maybe it is the same with Barcelona. After all, Dybala is undoubtedly an excellent football player, one who does not shy away from the big stage or the deadliest of opponents. It was his brace that single-handedly knocked the Catalan giants out of the competition.
Not only can La Joya play as the main striker, he can also be deployed as the #10, which will allow MSN to continue as the forward line of Barcelona. That front 4 is capable of making any defence in the world weak. Not only is Dybala a great player, he also has that x-factor, which more often than not proves to be decisive on the biggest of stages.
#1 Antoine Griezmann
Antoine Griezmann was heavily linked with a move to Manchester United in the summer and reportedly if not for the transfer ban imposed on Atletico Madrid, one might also have seen the Frenchman gracing the Old Trafford faithful. However, that is no longer the case and one case say that the ship might have sailed for him to join the Red Devils.
Not only are Manchester United one of the biggest clubs in the world but they also have the biggest audience base and as a commercial giant it is in their best interest to sign players, who are at that time, the talk of the town. Who knows if Griezmann will remain one of the hottest properties in world football this time next year, after all, Thomas Muller - for whom the Old Trafford outfit had a world record bid rejected last summer is not even considered in one of the top 20 players in the world at the moment and it is unlikely Manchester United will return for his services.
Coming back to Griezmann, the Frenchman is an excellent footballer and an even better finisher. The 26-year-old can hold the ball up and lay it off for a teammate or get on the end of a tantalizing through ball from a teammate and finish it. The Frenchman scored 26 goals while assisting another 12 for the Vicente Calderon outfit, however, that was an Atletico Madrid team that was one of the weakest of recent years in terms of overall team quality and that could have played a part.
Griezmann is certain to excel at Barcelona, where he will be provided by the likes of Messi, Neymar and company. The Frenchman’s ability to drift to the wings and cut in seamlessly can also hep him form a formidable and yet interchangeable partnership with the Argentine sensation. Will we ever see the two players, who finished 2nd and 3rd in FIFA Best Player race last year, play together? Only time will tell.
