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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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Barcelona’s coach Pep Guardiola (R) talks with Lionel Messi (Photo credit should read LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images) /

Where Messi lands will determine the final victor in the philosophical struggle for the soul of Barcelona.

Lionel Messi is arguably the most outstanding individual athlete of this generation. As a young man, he left his homeland in Argentina to join the Barcelona youth academy visualized by Johan Cruyff.

Messi’s slight frame initially was an obstacle that could have led to a path ending in a football career in South America. However, his determination, productivity, pride, and integrity caught the eye of Pep Guardiola.

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The rest is a story of individual greatness.

Due to the bitter resentment of individual achievement, it is Josep Bartomeu, who has single-handedly destroyed FC Barcelona as we know it.

This dismantling for the sake of philosophical emptiness and building power has mirrored the cultural and political change that has occurred in the last five years.

The rise of collectivism, nationalism, radicalism, and racism has been the result of playing out the antagonism of individual success, freedom, and growth.

It is no surprise that a trending hashtag is #freemessi. Barcelona fans and even neutrals see Bartomeu for what he is – a destroyer.

The Barcelona brass has dug their heels in its final battle against Messi and what he represents. They have indicated that he can not “be free” to seek out an open and free trade agreement with whichever team willing to trade with him.

If Messi leaves and ends up under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City as it has been suggested, then the nihilistic era of Josep Bartomeu will claim its dark victory.

dark. Next. Lionel Messi is trapped at Barcelona by financial fair play

It is a victory where everyone will lose.

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