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#3 Lionel Messi can captain the club and nurture players
Back when Lionel Messi was breaking onto Barcelona's first team scene, he had the good fortune of playing alongside some of the greatest players of the 21st century. Lionel Messi has been guided and mentored by some of the legends of the game like Xavi, Iniesta, Ronaldinho and Thierry Henry to name a few, and that has certainly had an impact on him.
With Barcelona renewing their focus on their youth academy and young players, there is an environment where someone like Messi can have a long-lasting impact. Barcelona also have a crop of extremely talented young players like Ansu Fati, Pedri, Moriba, Oscar Mingueza and Sergino Dest to name a few.
Lionel Messi can play a huge role in molding them into stars and that will be a great opportunity for him to complete the full circle at Barcelona.
See here: 5 players Lionel Messi took under his wing at Barcelona
#2 Lionel Messi can immortalize his legacy at Barcelona
In an era where much discussion has been held over the increase in player power and where loyalty and commitment have entirely different connotations, Lionel Messi has remained a one-club player similar to some of the greatest Barcelona players of all time.
Even if Lionel Messi were to depart, his legacy at Barcelona would in no way be tarnished. Perhaps no one has contributed so much to a club in the history of the game. However, Lionel Messi will know very well that he presently has a chance to immortalize his legacy at Barcelona.
If he chooses to stick on, Lionel Messi will become an embodiment of the Barcelona spirit and will make a great role model in whose footsteps, new generations of Barcelona players can follow.
#1 President Joan Laporta and Lionel Messi's good relationship with him
One of the main reasons why Lionel Messi wanted to leave Barcelona in the summer was the club's top brass headed by Josep Maria Bartomeu. The situation has changed immensely over the course of the season, with newly elected club president Joan Laporta a beloved presence at the club.
Laporta was president of Barcelona between 2003-2010 and oversaw an extremely successful time for the Catalans. During Laporta's last tenure as president, Barcelona set a record for the most number of trophies won in a 12-month period in 2009 when they won six trophies.
Joan Laporta has maintained a good relationship with Lionel Messi and has vowed to do all he can to try to make the Argentine stay at the club. Messi seems to be a fan of the president too and there is a good chance that he will decide to put pen to paper on a new deal now that most things are working out to his liking.
Also read: 5 players you didn’t know played with Lionel Messi
