FC Barcelona: “Messi The Mentor” has a massive responsibility in front of him

FC Barcelona’s marquee talent has to pass the torch eventually.

FC Barcelona and manager Ernesto Valverde are certainly feeling good at the moment, even if they were unable to grab all three points this past weekend against Espanyol. The Blaugrana have a nine-point lead on second-place Atlético Madrid in La Liga, and are preparing for Thursday’s Copa del Rey semi-final second leg at Valencia.

Barcelona are in a strong position to capture silverware this campaign. As usual, the mercurial Lionel Messi has been at the heart of this success. The Argentine superstar has scored 20 league goals and recorded ten assists. But the 30-year-old also has a responsibility to prepare the club’s new arrivals for their futures in Catalonia.

Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele each come to the Camp Nou with pressure on their shoulders, and Messi can help to make that pressure easier to deal with.

When he began his incredible journey with Barcelona following years developing his skill at La Masia, Messi had no shortage of mentors and guides. It is a wonderful luxury to have team-mates who can prepare you for what the world of football will bring.

The likes of Carles Puyol, Ronaldinho and Thierry Henry all had a part to play in keeping Messi’s abilities shining bright. Now, the Rosario native must pay that forward.

Both Coutinho and Dembele know what the fans will be expecting from them, this season and beyond. Barcelona have bred a culture of success like few others during the past two decades, and they will be tasked with continuing that for many years.

Messi is still able to make the amazing look normal. However, the next generation must follow him at some point.

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Barcelona constantly work towards improving their squad year after year. In order for that to happen, Lionel Messi has to show the youngsters how to achieve their dreams in Spain.