Barcelona Rumors: Lionel Messi's Speculated Exit Could Be Ploy Against Josep Maria Bartomeu

Lionel Messi’s reported exit plan from Barcelona in 2021 could be aimed at a more deeply rooted scheme. With the Argentine being at variance with the Spanish club’s management, multiple reports claim the alleged move is just an attempt to put the pressure on president Josep Maria Bartomeu as the star captain wants him out early from his post.

Nishant Narayanan of Everything Barca perceives Messi’s alleged decision not to renew his contract with Barcelona as a desperate move from the soccer icon to send Bartomeu packing away from Camp Nou.

“The speculation over Messi’s future is a deliberate decision made by the maestro in order to put pressure on Bartomeu who is up for an election in 2021. It is a public way to inform the voters and the public about his thoughts on the management,” Narayanan wrote.

Described as a “silent” type of leader in nature, Messi pulling off such a kind of ploy is said to be a proof that he is fed up with how the front office is running things at the Blaugrana.

“It is a known fact that because of his status in world football, Messi is capable of heavily influencing the politics at Barca but has never felt compelled to use it until the recent decisions made by the hierarchy that has put the squad in a negative light.

“Cules await the final days of Bartomeu’s tenure happening next year to have some glimpse of improvement with the election of a new president but the latest rumors stating Messi’s exit if Bartomeu does not resign early has placed a lot of speculation over the president’s future.

“Six directors have already resigned earlier this year and now the greatest footballer to ever wear a Blaugrana shirt has also threatened to leave unless Bartomeu resigns, hinting to the possibility of an early exit for the heavily criticized president.”

The existing pressure has been elevated with the Catalans in danger of losing the La Liga title to Real Madrid this season. Since returning from the hiatus, Barcelona has not relatively been the same club that had led the race prior to the break. Their rivals at the Spanish capital have been bossing around every opposition that has placed them four points out on the catch-up trail, 77 to 73.