Former Barcelona striker, Samuel Eto’o has opened up on speculation surrounding the future of Lionel Messi at the Nou Camp, joking that the Catalan giants will have to change their name if the record six-time Ballon d’Or winner leaves the club in the summer.
Samuel Eto’o is visibly not happy that Lionel Messi is reportedly set to dump Barcelona – Reports say the Argentine is furious with the club management and wants the club restructured.
Messi’s future at the club has come under the scanner after the striker halted contract extension talks, which has led to speculation that he might look to leave the club for free once his contract expires in the summer of 2021.
The Spanish giants were humiliated in the Champions League quarter-final after German champions Bayern Munich hit them 8-2. This has added further fuel to the speculation and it has seen him being linked to the likes of Manchester City, Inter Milan or his Argentine hometown club Newell’s Old Boys, where he featured as a youth player.
The loss to Bayern was the darkest night in the history of the club and Messi could barely comprehend how they were outclassed in such a manner and reports say the Argentine is ready to leave the club. “I love Messi like he was my own son, I want the best for him. Barcelona is Messi, and I think if Messi decides to leave, we’ll have to change the name of the club,” Eto’o told Argentine TV channel TyCSports.
Eto’o said; Barcelona is Messi and I think if Messi decides to leave, we’ll have to change the name of the club.
“We are lucky in that at Barcelona, we have the best player in the world and of all-time, we have to do everything possible to ensure he finishes his career at Barcelona.”
It was heartbreaking watching Messi suffer as Bayern scored goal after goal after goal. Footage emerged of him looking like a broken man at half-time with his side already 4-1 down.
But Eto’o has urged Messi – and everyone at the club – to bounce back next season.
“I really suffered myself with that defeat, not just for Leo, but for all of the lads,” the Cameroonian admitted.
“Someone who has never played the game will find it hard to understand, but these things exist in football – and in life too.
“Anyone can suffer a fall but you have to get up again and that is the most difficult part. The players, the bosses, the fans… I hope that we can lift ourselves up from this and begin to dream again for next season.”
While it was a trophyless campaign for Barca and ultimately a very disappointing one, Messi still broke records with 25 goals and 21 assists in his 33 La Liga appearances.
Messi wants to leave the Camp Nou this summer.
Whether Messi will get his wish – if indeed that is his wish – remains to be seen.
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