Can you imagine Lionel Messi playing for a club other than Barcelona?No, neither can we.However, following Barca’s 8-2 humiliation in their Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich on Friday, reports emerged that Messi wants out.According to Marcelo Bechler, the journalist who broke the news of Neymar’s move to Paris Saint-Germain, 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.
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.Where would Barcelona be without him?Well, according to former teammate Samuel Eto’o, they shouldn’t even be called Barcelona if Messi leaves.In an interview with Argentine TV channel TyCSports, Eto’o suggested Barca should change their name if the six-time Ballon d’Or was to depart.
"I love Messi like he was my own son, I want the best for him,” 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.”