Van Bronckhorst ‘can’t imagine’ a Barcelona squad sans Lionel Messi

Former Barcelona defender Giovanni van Bronckhorst discussed what a Barcelona team without Lionel Messi would look like this week. He expressed some of the feelings that I think most football fans would feel should a Messi exit from Barcelona actually happen.

“I would love to see him be part of Barcelona for his whole career.

“He’s one of the (few) players to stay his whole career at the same club.

“I admire him as a person and a player and hopefully he will stay there. That’s what I’d love to see.”

“He will decide himself, but I can’t imagine a Barcelona without him.”

Giovanni van Bronckhorst | Source

Messi has been reportedly a bit frustrated with Barcelona managment not putting together a squad that can compete at the highest level consistently. Combine that with a reported stopping of contract extension negotiations, and you have yourself a situation wherein speculation takes place about a Messi-less Barcelona.