2020/21 International Club Football Thread

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Does he live in Barcelona in the off season and wanted to stay there at all costs?

Why take a pay cut if you don't have to? There are probably owners out there (Man City, PSG) who would offer a weekly dump truck full of money to him.

He's probably comfortable at Barca, been there since he was a kid? Doesn't think it's worth the money to go to England or France at this point in his career to adjust to new surroundings.

[devo22]

still, it's hilarious after his "get me tf out of here!" drama last year.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Besides you'd have to pay me at least triple to live in Manchester over Barcelona. Paris is a bit better, but it's still not even close to as nice weather wise as Barcelona.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Besides you'd have to pay me at least triple to live in Manchester over Barcelona. Paris is a bit better, but it's still not even close to as nice weather wise as Barcelona.

He'd never come to the EPL. I dont think that was really ever on the cards. Thr EPL is a tough league.

He's 34, played in Spain his whole life where he only really has to get out of bed and tie his laces up for a half-dozen games a year and the rest is tapas and sangria.

France? Maybe. PSG would be pretty easy for the most part.

And like you said, the money isnt really materially different because you know Barca will find a way to make it up to him over the long run. Nobody is going to be surprised when Messi becomes one of the highest paid 'Executives' once he retires.

Assuming that Barca find a way out of this mess they're in. They were desperate to get Messi back. He generates something like half of their non-football revenue all by himself, which they desperately need.

Further, I've been reading that Barca has a bunch of TV broadcast and endorsement deals that have 'Messi-Clauses' where if he isnt at Barca or involved they get significantly reduced compensation, which again, at the moment, they cannot afford.

[SuperMatt18]

This is why Messi isn't the goat.

Go try a different league and prove yourself away from the cozy confines of Barcelona.

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

This is why Messi isn't the goat.

Go try a different league and prove yourself away from the cozy confines of Barcelona.

Ronaldo has proven it in three different leagues now

Also his record for Portugal is better than Messi's for Argentina

[devo22]

I will say him being a one-club guy is pretty cool, it rarely happens anymore. But again, last year's drama tainted that quite a bit.

[Locke]

Looks like Donnarumma is official now.

Now we have to see what happens with Keylor Navas.

[SuperMatt18]

AC Milan has to be kicking themselves.

So stupid to just not give him his money. Then he leaves on a free. And wins Euro Player of the Tournament.

Probably costs them $100M long term.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

AC Milan has to be kicking themselves.

So stupid to just not give him his money. Then he leaves on a free. And wins Euro Player of the Tournament.

Probably costs them $100M long term.

All things equal, I'm sure he'd prefer to be playing at home in Italy. I like that Milan told that shiiiiiitbag Raiola to get ####ed.

Speaking of quality keepers, Wolves just got weaker with the departure of Rui Patricio to Roma.

[Roughneck]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

This is why Messi isn't the goat.

Go try a different league and prove yourself away from the cozy confines of Barcelona.

He would struggle on a cold, rainy night in Stoke…

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

All things equal, I'm sure he'd prefer to be playing at home in Italy. I like that Milan told that shiiiiiitbag Raiola to get ####ed.

Speaking of quality keepers, Wolves just got weaker with the departure of Rui Patricio to Roma.

I don’t know. Is an 8 figure contract really that crazy? He was asking for somewhere between $200k-$250k per week.

Sure he’s young but he’s been their first team starter for 6 years already, this wasn’t a 22 year old with one season under his belt. He’s been starting for them since he’s 16 years old.

That ask doesn’t seem out of the question from me based on what he’s proven so far in his career. And either way it’s stupid. Sign him
to the deal, pay him his $12M this year, and then sell him for $80M probably next year.

Originally Posted by Roughneck

He would struggle on a cold, rainy night in Stoke…

He’d probably still dominate. But honestly it would have been nice to see it for sure. Barcelona has been set up for his skill set his entire career, and he’s always had a world class midfield supporting him, would have been nice to see him prove it in another league.

[devo22]

well you must remember that contract discussions between Milan and Donnarumma/Raiola have been very messy before. I remember there was a lot of drama when he renewed in 2017, Milan eventually caved and paid him a lot of money as well as signed his brother. This time, they simply had enough at some point. They offered him a more than fair deal (I think 8-10 million per year), but Raiola continued to demand 12 as well as 20 for him (of course). I completely understand Milan in that situation, you can't continue to have agents run the show. They'll be fine with Maignan, he's a good keeper too.

[Senator Clay Davis]

I get how much Messi means commercially to Barca, but letting him walk is still the easiest path out of their financial mess, so maybe now they do?

https://twitter.com/user/status/1423335073546309635

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

I get how much Messi means commercially to Barca, but letting him walk is still the easiest path out of their financial mess, so maybe now they do?

https://twitter.com/user/status/1423335073546309635

Not really. Their overall Revenue plummets without him. There are clauses in their Jersey sponsorships, TV deals, etc. He generates a lot of off-field Revenue for Barca.

And I thought this was announced as a 'Done Deal' weeks ago?

[devo22]

man, Kane's decision to go on strike will look even more hilarious when Messi inevitably joins Pep lol.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by Locke

Not really. Their overall Revenue plummets without him. There are clauses in their Jersey sponsorships, TV deals, etc. He generates a lot of off-field Revenue for Barca.

And I thought this was announced as a 'Done Deal' weeks ago?

I know he does, but they literally can't register any of their new players until they fix their financial mess. They gotta get off the Messi tit at some point, might as well be now while they are rebuilding.

[devo22]

Barcelona have confirmed that Messi is leaving.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1423339729811030019

[SuperMatt18]

Honestly the best move would be that Messi does them a favor and signs a new contract.

And then Barcelona can sell him for $100M to City or PSG.

Almost like a sign and trade but in soccer terms. Would be a bit unprecedented for a guy who's contract is up, but I think teams would still happily pay $100M for Messi.

[Senator Clay Davis]

I'm still kinda shocked how quickly this went 180, every indication was him coming back was a done deal. I'm sure more details will leak out, but it'll be fun to learn how this all fell apart.