Lionel Messi: Barcelona captain names three players for Barcelona exit this summer after facing a humiliating elimination from the Champions league.
Barcelona were eyeing to win the most prestigious club competition this year as Lionel Messi promised the Catalan fans of bringing the trophy at Nou Camp.
The Blaugrana club was on the verge to secure a finale seat after winning the first leg of the semi-final by 3-0 against Liverpool. However, Barcelona succumbed to the pressure by Liverpool in the return leg and lost the tie by 4-3 on aggregate.
Although, Barcelona are dominating the domestic tournaments and probably will secure a domestic double at the end of the season, but the club was vying for the European silverware, which they have failed to win since last four years.
The Catalan players were at their worst against Liverpool and made defensive blunders, which helped the Reds to march into the last stage of the tournament.
Thus, it seems that it left Messi fuming after the match as it was reported that he was caught sobbing in the dressing room.
Therefore, the Argentine International has asked the club board to get rid of Philippe Coutinho, Ivan Rakitic and Samuel Umtiti.
Coutinho is the most expensive signing of Barcelona in their history. The Brazilian International initially impressed the Catalan fans but later digressed with his poor performances. The 26-year-old midfielder is linked to PSG, while a return to the Anfield has not been ruled out.
Whereas, Ivan Rakitic has been underwhelming for Barcelona since several months. Additionally, Frankie De Jong’s arrival next month and Riqui Puig’s probable promotion to first team might call for Croatian International’s exit.
Samuel Umtiti has failed to return to the lineup after returning from his injury and has been replaced by his compatriot Clement Lenglet. Moreover, the probable arrival of Matthijs De Ligt to Barcelona and potential of Jean-Clair Todibo makes it difficult for the French International to regain his ground in the squad.
Therefore, Barcelona needs to make few hard decisions ahead of the following season, if they want to win the highest prizes in the last few peak years of Lionel Messi.
How twitter reacted
Mini thread explaining why Rakitic has to be the first one that leaves. This doesn’t necessarily mean he was the worst (for me he has been but that’s not the point), it just means that his departure will bear the most fruit. https://t.co/W40fexCNHC
— Laportismo (@MoRosement) May 10, 2019
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Barcelona have set a £86m price tag on Coutinho’s head this summer, which is a huge loss on the £142m they paid Liverpool for his services a year and a half ago. [AS]
He’s had a torrid time at the Camp Nou — would that price tempt you to bring him back to Anfield? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/FbAOyNreJ3
— Anfield Edition (@AnfieldEdition) May 10, 2019
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Do not sell Umtiti
We love Umtiti#umtit_barca— #ingrat_corporatiste Med_ no #fakemed (@MedBar1695) May 10, 2019
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What’s next?
Barcelona have already won the La Liga title and will be facing Getafe on Sunday. Moreover, they will play against Valencia in the Copa Del Rey final on 25th May.
Also read: Maurizio Sarri: Chelsea manager shall be replaced by Ex-Liverpool manager ‘at any cost’ says Paul Merson.
