What’s the story?
Barcelona have reportedly agreed on a new deal with Lionel Messi and goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen according to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo. The report details that Lionel Messi’s father Jorge Messi has met with president Josep Maria Bartomeu and the duo are expected conclude the deal before he leaves for Argentina.
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The report further says that Barcelona have agreed on a five-year extension to Andre ter Stegen’s deal, with both parties happy with the decision. The deal will see the German stay at Camp Nou till 2022, and only the date of signing the contract officially is to be finalized.
In case you didn’t know..
Barcelona are in a state of flux, with the president Josep Maria Bartomeu needing to settle a few variables before the season concludes. Lionel Messi hasn’t formally signed a new contract, with his current one ending at the end of the 2017-18 season, and with Luis Enrique leaving at the end of the season they’re also hunting for a new manager.
With Messi’s deal out of the way, the management can solely concentrate on agreeing on a deal with the new manager and the players they would expect to get through the door in the summer.
The heart of the matter
Barcelona, although at the top of the La Liga and the final of the Copa del Rey will mostly see the season as a failure if they’re usurped by Real Madrid to the Spanish League. The team also exited the Champions League at the quarterfinal stage, making it two seasons in a row in which they haven’t reached the semis.
So it is imminent that there is a rebuilding process involved, and the first step of the process needs to be strengthening the foundation. Lionel Messi is undoubtedly that foundation.
What’s Next?
As it stands, even if they win the rest of their games, they will need Real Madrid to slip up. Given the form the Champions League holders are in, especially in the La Liga that seems unlikely.
So the work behind the curtains needs to continue, and a strong summer transfer window is expected off the Catalan giants to bring back to team to where it belongs.
Author’s Take
Lionel Messi, as he showed against Real Madrid in the Bernabeu, is as capable as ever. Undoubtedly the greatest player in their history, they need to keep hold of the Argentinean if they’re to consistently keep winning like they have in the past decade.
There has been a lot of talk about Andre ter Stegen’s future, and the announcement of the deal will help kill the rumour mill linking him to Manchester United.
