A new problem for Barça. Their defeat at the hands of Real Madrid in the Spanish Supercup arrives alongside a surprising piece of news. Jordi Mestre, the team's vice-president of sport, said, during the press conference presenting new player Paulinho Bezerra, that Leo Messi's contract renewal is not yet signed.
“The renewal has been discussed, agreed and only the signature is missing. We're well aware of it and it would greatly surprise me if we don't conclude the deal”. Mestre's words directly contradict those of the club's president Josep Maria Bartomeu in an interview on Catalunya Ràdio on 7th July: "The contract was signed at the end of June and will be counted under the last financial year. Messi will decide if he retires at Barça, but I'd very much like him to. For the time being we have him with us for 4 more years. He is the best player in history and in the world".
The club had broadcast far and wide that Messi had extended his contract until 2021, but the truth is that the extension contract is, currently, not in effect. As such, the player could negotiate his future with any club from next January.
Barça's poor performance in the first two official matches of the season has left the image of a downcast Messi, incapable of taking back control of the situation despite his very best efforts. At the Santiago Bernabéu stadium, the Argentine forward was one of the few positive notes of the team and narrowly missed scoring with a shot off the crossbar.
Barça's sporting management continues working to try and fill the hole left by Neymar Jr on the left wing, one of Messi's closest teammates on and off the pitch. For the time being, the technical secretary's office has been unable to overcome the loss of the Brazilian forward. As of 17th August, Barça has only announced three new signings: Gerard Deulofeu, Nélson Semedo and Paulinho.
The three new arrivals are good reinforcements but not star players. The staff, and Messi, keep hoping that the club can close deals for Ousmane Dembélé and Philippe Coutinho, two young footballers who would each have an impact, but who will require making significant economic outlays.
The Supercup against Madrid made the distance between the teams evident. Without Messi, these distances would be definitively insurmountable.