Why it’s Messi Barcelona must banish to balance their books

With a triad of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar tearing opposition defence’s apart, Barcelona have very little to worry about on the pitch. However, supposed financial struggles off it mean they may have to sell one of their devastating strike force.

According to a report from the Daily Mail, the Catalan club’s finances are becoming so catastrophic that a big-money sale of one of their prized possessions is starting to become thinkable.

With no sponsor, a wage bill that swallows 73 percent of revenue and sky-high bonuses for success, the club are carrying very little financial clout.

Their desperate circumstances will make it extremely difficult to renew the contracts of the high-earning Messi and Neymar, whose deals expire before Suarez’s. Cashing in may be the best option.

If such madness ever becomes reality, then without doubt the Nou Camp giants must sever ties with their Argentine Ballon d’Or winner.

Although Messi has never known anything other than playing for Barcelona, the 28-year-old would demand a higher price tag than Neymar and, at five years older than the Brazilian, is not the long-term future of the club.

As much as Neymar’s signing was geared to pair two of the greatest footballing talents in the world together, the former Santos prodigy was also brought in to inherit Messi’s torch. It would make no sense if Barca were to ditch that plan, even if circumstances force the changeover earlier than expected.

During the calendar year, Neymar’s stats so closely mirror Messi’s that it’s conceivable to think the Blaugrana would actually cope without the diminutive wizard.

In 50 games during 2015 thus far, Neymar has netted 41 times with 12 assists. Messi has scored 48 goals and laid on 21 for his teammates.

However, it was the Brazilian’s play during the recent nine-game stint, when scoring 10 goals, in which Messi was injured that really convinced many that Neymar was ready to step out of the 28-year-old’s shadow.

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