Lionel Messi has been one of soccer’s biggest superstars and best players over the past few seasons, so it only makes sense that the club team he plays for tends to his requests and makes sure he is content with where he plays. The problem is that hasn’t been the case at all this season where there appears to be a major divide between Barcelona’s biggest star and its coach.
There have been reports that Messi isn’t even on speaking terms with Luis Enrique and, when you consider all of the distractions this team has had to deal with while chasing both a La Liga title and a Champions League trophy, it makes sense that something has to give soon before it’s too late for both sides.
Enrique On The Hot Seat?
Enrique acknowledged this his future at Camp Nou is far from secure as he continues to deal with the difficult relationship he has with Messi and a number of other members of the squad. Enrique and Messi reportedly had a falling out at the start of January that led to speculation the latter would be moved at some point, but the two agreed to put their differences aside for the greater good of the team. However, despite the truce between them, Enrique and Messi have not been on talking terms and it could be only a matter of time before changes are made. Considering Messi is one of the two best players in the world, it’s likely the team first tries to appease him and swap out Enrique rather than the other way round.
It’s Not Just Messi Who Is Discontent
The fact that it was Messi rumored to be on the move in January shocked a number of people that were surprised to see Barcelona even consider moving the biggest of their superstar players. None of the rumored transfer talks to Manchester United, Chelsea or Manchester City ever materialized and it might have been best for the Spanish Giants as they have had a chance to see the bigger picture. La Liga and Champs League titles are within sight. The fact of the matter is that the problem isn’t just with Messi. A number of players are reportedly frustrated with Enrique and the way that he manages the team. At this point, we don’t know who else specifically but it has been reported that Messi is not alone.
Guardiola Has Been A Tough Act To Follow
One of the biggest reasons why the players might not like Enrique’s managing approach is the difference between him and the coach he succeeded: Pep Guardiola. Guardiola was always known as a players coach and was very popular with Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta, so the contrast between his style and Enrique’s would make a huge difference for those star players. This isn’t the first time that Enrique has had an issue with a star player either as he also had a rocky relationship with Francesco Totti while at Roma. He’s not exactly a player’s coach and he wants things done his way, so it seems at this point as though the most likely scenario could see somebody else take over on the sidelines.
Barcelona Still Thriving
There’s no question that all of these problems are going to come to a head sooner than later, but it looks like the team has opted for the latter. It’s clear that there are chemistry issues but mature minds have prevailed and it has not distracted the team. Messi has played at a high level regardless of what he is dealing with and that makes the situation that much more interesting. Barcelona is second in the La Liga table, just two points back of Real Madrid’s 61, and they are at +330 to win the UEFA Champions League, which is second in line only to Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. We’ll see what happens once the season is over as changes will be on the way.
