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Lionel Messi and Barcelona: The end of the battle for the club’s soul

By Keith Lisenbee

FC Barcelona fans gather outside the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on August 26, 2020 after Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi announced his desire to leave the club. - Lionel Messi's bombshell request to leave Barcelona is expected to spark a legal battle over a multi-million-dollar buy-out clause but also raises the question of which club could afford him in the heat of the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Pau BARRENA / AFP) (Photo by PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images)
FC Barcelona fans gather outside the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on August 26, 2020 after Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi announced his desire to leave the club. - Lionel Messi's bombshell request to leave Barcelona is expected to spark a legal battle over a multi-million-dollar buy-out clause but also raises the question of which club could afford him in the heat of the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Pau BARRENA / AFP) (Photo by PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Lionel Messi
Artwork in Barcelona of Lionel Messi (Photo by Pau BARRENA / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – MANDATORY MENTION OF THE ARTIST UPON PUBLICATION – TO ILLUSTRATE THE EVENT AS SPECIFIED IN THE CAPTION (Photo by PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images) /

Lionel Messi, the greatest player in a generation, has requested to leave Barcelona. His separation from the superclub marks the end of an ideological war.

Barcelona, for the vast majority of its storied history, has symbolized the independent, socially democratic, and revolutionary soul of the city that it represents.

The city and the state of Catalonia rebelled against the totalitarian regime of Franco in the Spanish Civil War and throughout the decades of his rule.

The club’s motto, Més queue un club, or “More than a club” is not just a trite motto, its a cultural, political, and sporting philosophy that has defined the club for generations.

Barça’s ethos over the last two generations has been personified by three giant figures: Johan Cruyff, Pep Guardiola, and Lionel Messi.

The Cruyffian revolution at the Camp Nou that started when the former player returned as a coach in 1988 revolutionized the sport as he transformed the club. His tactics, personality, and emphasis on building from youth (La Masia) were seen as radical and even subversive.

The Dutch coach was incredibly successful (two European titles, four Spanish titles, and four domestic cups) and ignited the decades of modern success Barça and its supporters have enjoyed.

Cruyff begat Guardiola, as player and coaching disciple, who then spawned Lionel Messi.

All three individuals became bigger than FC Barcelona because of their productivity, integrity, and independent thinking.

Johan, Pep, and Lionel were also resented by many within the club and the footballing world by the very same ethos that defines the club they represented taken to its extreme.

These men were ostracized, ridiculed, and denounced by FCB for being individually great.

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