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Barcelona no longer needs Messi. |
It is no coincidence that the name Lionel Messi continues to haunt Barcelona, four years after the Argentine legend left Camp Nou. Because, at a club once associated with artistic beauty, victory and emotion, Messi is an almost irreplaceable symbol.
But what is undeniable is: Barcelona cannot live in the past forever. And in this transitional crisis, sporting director Deco chose to speak out - frankly, clearly and rationally.
Deco's Reason
In an interview with La Vanguardia , Deco reacted to the public opinion demanding something both unrealistic and emotional. “If I bring Messi back, people will say I am crazy. If I recruit 50 players from Congo, they will say I am destroying Barca,” he said, humorously but also accurately describing the paradox facing the club’s rebuilding team.
It’s not just about Messi. It’s a classic example of the tension between the glorious past and the harsh reality. The Cules want to see the old Andres Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez, Sergio Busquets – but they’re not ready to accept a new era of rebuilding with unfamiliar, unproven names. They want to win, but they don’t want to pay the price of time and experimentation.
Deco, in this context, does not choose to be complacent. He – who was part of the glorious team in Pep Guardiola’s early years – understands the value of identity, but is not bound by nostalgia. His recent statements show a “professional” mindset in his approach: building on reality, not on unrealistic expectations from fans or the media.
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Messi is in the past with Barcelona. |
That decisiveness becomes even more important when put in the current situation of Barcelona. After many seasons of financial difficulties and failure in the Champions League, the club needs a long-term and sustainable development direction. Not the miracles that come from signing an aging Messi - although the name always brings emotion.
So Deco and his board's strategy is to put their faith in internal development: La Masia, smart signings, and a disciplined Hansi Flick. Of course, that's not as glamorous as "shocking" the transfer market, but it's the only way to keep Barca from ruining themselves again with short-term decisions.
It is worth noting that Deco does not shy away from criticism. He admits that he will be criticized for whatever he does, but he is willing to live with that pressure. Because, as he himself said: “I do not work for applause today. I work to make Barcelona stable and strong in the future.”
Barca no longer needs Messi
Here, Barca fans – no matter how much they love Messi – should ask themselves: do they want the club to live on in glorious memories, or do they want it to truly revive? Bringing Messi back (which is already impossible after 2023) may satisfy an emotional desire, but it will not bring sporting or financial stability. But looking for rough diamonds in Congo, Brazil or La Masia itself, is an approach that may not be immediately beautiful, but has long-term value.
Deco’s comparison – though controversial – actually shows the difficulty of a strategist: having to act between two opposing waves of public opinion, having to go against expectations to protect the roadmap. For him, bringing Messi back was an emotional choice, while discovering a “new Ronaldinho” from a small African village could be the real future of Barcelona.
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Coach Hansi Flick is building a youthful Barcelona. |
Hansi Flick, the new coach, is following a similar logic: building from a defensive foundation, incorporating the discipline of German football and maximising the potential of young players. This is a different Barcelona - no longer as flashy as the tiki-taka days, but knowing where they are and what they need.
Barça's future will not be decided by the return of one individual, even if that person is called Messi. It will come from the patience, consistency in strategy and the ability to withstand pressure of executives - like Deco.
Source: https://znews.vn/barcelona-gat-bo-ao-tuong-thoi-hau-messi-post1573138.html
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