'%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)
What's the news?
Spanish news outlet Marca has reported that it was Tito Vilanova who convinced Lionel Messi to stay at FC Barcelona, and that too 6 days before he died due to terminal illness. The news was confirmed by Jordi Roura, Vilanova's No.2 during his stint at Barcelona as head coach.
In case you didn't know..
Tito Vilanova was diagnosed with gland cancer for the second time in his life on 19th December 2012, and after 2 years of chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment, succumbed to the disease on 25th April 2014. Almost one year ago, he had stepped down as the Barcelona manager due to his condition worsening day by day.
Vilanova was a Spanish professional footballer at Celta Vigo, before he joined the backroom staff of Pep Guardiola at Barcelona. He was appointed the first team manager in 2012 and he won the La Liga in his debut and only season with the Blaugranes.
The heart of the matter
And now, Vilanova's assistant Jordi Roura has revealed that the former Barca boss convinced Messi to stay at the club just 6 days before he died due to his long term cancer.
Roura said, "Tito was at a delicate stage and Leo wasn't convinced about his continuity. They met and although I wasn't there, I know they spent a number of hours talking. Messi decided to stay and we hope that he will for many more years."
He further praised Vilanova, saying, "He was a very simple, direct person. He has a lot of personality and he showed a lot with his face. I think that's what made him special."
Messi led Barcelona had racked up a 100 points in the La Liga in Vilanova's only season winning the league and setting an example for years to come. Since then the record has not been bettered by any team, not even Barca themselves.
What's ahead?
FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi would be looking to beat Liverpool in the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League and further win the Europe's biggest competition. The Catalan club are leading the La Liga table and have virtually won the league this season with Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid far behind the team.
One can only imagine the importance of Vilanova's words to Messi, due to which we are still seeing the Barcelona side led by the Argentine achieving unprecedented heights in world football.
