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#3 Lionel Messi's brand value is incomparable
Lionel Messi is a superstar on the field and a huge marketable brand off it. His popularity has made a seismic impact on the club over the years in terms of jersey sales and expanding its fanbase around the world.
The player's stature in the game garnered plenty of sponsors for Barcelona, helping generate massive revenues, while also attracting fans inside the stadium in droves every time he played.
Messi not only brought silverware to his club but also plenty of commercial success; the kind of which very few players have done before. So his departure could affect Barcelona off the field too.
It's impossible to imagine anyone else bringing so much brand value to Barcelona.
#2 Lionel Messi was more than just a player for Barcelona
Lionel Messi was not just the most valuable player for Barcelona, but also a leader and a highly inspirational figure, both on the field and in the dressing room.
He commanded tremendous respect among his teammates, who understandably held the star in high regard, and played a key role in keeping the side together.
The Argentine may have only graced the captain's armband since 2018. but his leadership qualities have long been there for everyone to see. But particularly in the last three years, he truly laid out an example as a leader too.
Young players in the squad look up to him and his accomplishments as something to emulate, constantly drawing inspiration from Messi. It's going to be a quite a task to find a player (or cultivate one) like that again.
#1 There is unlikely to be anyone like Lionel Messi again
Many players will come and wear Lionel Messi's fabled number 10 jersey at Barcelona in the future. But there is unlikely to be anybody like him.
The standards he has set are too high for anyone from the current generation to emulate. There has never been a player who's had as much influence on the club as Messi has had.
Players like Messi don't come around often. Barcelona could spend millions in search of a replacement, but are unlikely to unearth another Messi.
