Barcelona’s president on Messi’s retirement: Bartomeu makes big statement

Barcelona’s president on Messi’s retirement: Lionel Messi’s retirement might be years away from today, but Barca have started preparing for it.

Lionel Messi is one of the best footballers on this planet. The Argentinian star will turn 32 this year and is currently at his prime for the side. Messi is the highest goalscorer in the La Liga this season and already holds the record for most goals in the competition’s history.

However, Barcelona are wary of the difficulties they may face once the forward hangs up his boots.

It is quite likely that the Argentinian star will retire at the Catalan club. Earlier, Victor Font, one of the presidential candidates for the club’s 2021 elections, stated that he’s in talks with former Barca star Xavi to prepare for life after Lionel Messi.

And now, the current Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu also broke silence over the club’s preparations for Messi’s retirement.

Barcelona’s president on Messi’s retirement:

Bartomeu stated that the club needs to prepare for the future. He insisted that he wants to ensure he leaves Barcelona in ‘great position’ when he steps down from his position in 2021.

“I know one day Lionel will say he’s retiring,” Bartomeu said. “We have to prepare the club for the future,” added Bartomeu, who is due to step down as president in 2021.

Barcelona are preparing for life without Lionel Messi, says club president

Josep Maria Bartomeu says the Catalan club’s recent transfer additions were made with Messi’s retirement in mind pic.twitter.com/RXEhuk4P82

— Lilian Chan (@bestgug) February 7, 2019

.@victor_font: “During the next decade, Barça will have to face the retirement of Messi and one of the best generation of football players in history, and it will have to do with the economic competition of clubs owned by magnates and states: its a complete storm.” (@sialfutur) pic.twitter.com/t82gO3mRQA

— Navid Molaaghaei (@navidjaaan) January 31, 2019

 

“We are bringing great young players to the team because we need to continue this era of success. That’s our responsibility.

“My mandate will be finished in two seasons. So I need to leave the club in a great position and tell the new president ‘that’s our legacy’.”

Lionel Messi signed a new contract with Barcelona in 2017, and stated that he moved closer to his “dream” of finishing his career “at home.”

What freaks me out is I remember watching Messi score a hat-trick in El Clasico when he was 19 and now they’re beginning to prepare for his retirement 🤯😭 https://t.co/6KmIsdlow0

— Ross (@TheLarkhallArab) February 8, 2019

I am not ready. The streets of childhood will be renamed. Words written in the past will become alienated from the self. Children will grow up. Messi will retire. I am not ready.

— ৫ (@bhalomanush) February 7, 2019

“I’m more worried about being a good person than being the best football player in the world. When all this is over, what are you left with? When I retire, I hope I am remembered for being a decent guy.” -Lionel Messi pic.twitter.com/182j6ThRRM

— Karim (@assmy14) February 6, 2019

 

He has won nine La Liga titles and four Champions League titles with Barcelona so far. In the current season, Barcelona are at the top of the table in the league and will take on Lyon in the round-of-16 of the European competition.