Barca’s image of Messi in the 2020-2021 season jersey was widely posted on media channels after the 33-year-old striker announced his stay.

The world seemed to hold its breath for 10 days, waiting for the moment Lionel Messi spoke up about his future, after the striker born in 1987 sent a burofax to Barca’s leadership to demand the right to freely leave.

In an exclusive interview broadcast worldwide by Goal newspaper on September 4, Messi said he longed for the opportunity to play football elsewhere.

Messi believes that, technically, if he wants, he can leave for free, but he cannot avoid a court battle with Barca, to argue over whether the deadline at the end of the season or before June 10 is effective.

The question now is what happens next.

Let’s start with Messi, those first steps are very small, but clear.

Messi will have to talk to his teammates, as the captain, explain his request to leave, the reason for changing his mind, and commit to giving his best in the new season.

If one or more Barca players are not satisfied with Messi, it will not be difficult for them to be convinced that they must accept the captain striker.

The `all-out` scenario did not happen, but it will be difficult for Messi and Bartomeu to see each other’s face after the Argentine striker publicly criticized the Barca President for going back on his word, lying and covering up.

There may come a time when Messi has to face Bartomeu in the coming weeks, and it will certainly be an awkward situation.

In an interview on September 4, Messi accused Bartomeu of breaking his promise to let him leave, and criticized the board of directors under him for spending hundreds of millions of euros on incompetent players.

When he returns to training, Messi will certainly see another dressing room, because the club has run a team dialysis program.

Messi pledged that he will devote himself to the club in the upcoming season.

It is difficult not to doubt whether Messi still loves Barca or not, when the club is in the hands of leaders he does not trust.

But no matter what, Messi must put the thought of leaving aside and continue to dedicate himself in this new season, as he has always done for nearly 20 years.

If he can do that, at least Messi will be able to hear the applause in the stands of every football stadium across the country in his final year, of course, only if these football stadiums are allowed to open to spectators.

If this is truly Messi’s last year, he can start negotiating with other clubs, such as Man City, Inter or PSG, as early as January 2021.

In case Victor Font is elected and brings Xavi back as head coach, Messi can absolutely stay and join hands with his trusted senior teammate to rebuild Barca.

Koeman will also be happy if Messi tries his best to play in his final year at Barca.

Koeman (left) on the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper training ground on September 5.

As the American newspaper New York Times commented on September 5, no one wins in the physical battle between Barca and Messi.

There certainly won’t be an easy and suitable solution for everyone, but Messi’s and Barca’s football universe will be temporarily at peace.

Messi’s last match for the club he has devotedly served for nearly 20 years should not have been a humiliating 2-8 defeat at the hands of Bayern.