For a long time now, rumors swirling about Lionel Messi’s influence on FC Barcelona’s decision making at all levels suggest the tiny Argentine star is not just running the show on the pitch at the Camp Nou.
This report is another example of his power at Barca.
Last year Barcelona were very interested to sign Sergio Aguero from Man City as Messi persuaded the Catalan club to try and sign up his good friend and strike partner for Argentina.
Sources close to 25-year-old Aguero say he misses Spain and believes his style would fit in superbly at Barcelona. It’s hard to argue with the latter point, as his tremendous predatory strike rate and sensational movement would surely see him finish off plenty of Barca’s beautifully flowing moves.
Messi and Aguero are a match made in heaven. They proved that at the 2008 Olympics as Argentina won the Gold medal and the duo tore it up. Messi’s mazy dribbles and Aguero’s sharp, quick runs behind defenses make it a nightmare for opponents to defend them. After an injury hit campaign in 2012-13, this season Aguero has been firing on all cylinders for City after scoring 14 goals in 13 games.
But will the Citizens really allow their best player to move on to a UEFA Champions League rival? I find it hard to believe.
City have won the Premier League -- with Aguero grabbing that memorable last-gasp winner on the final day of the 2011-12 season to hand them the title -- and are now hell-bent on lifting the UCL title with Manuel Pellegrini in charge. Aguero is their main threat and there’s no reason why City would ever contemplate getting rid of the pint-sized striker. The Abu Dhabi based owners of the club do not need money, so surely this is the end of this particularly rumors?
I doubt it.
With Messi’s influence over the hierarchy at Barcelona and the chance for the four-time World Player of the Year to link up with a player he admires and loves playing alongside, don’t be surprised to see FCB pull out all the stops to land Aguero. If Messi wants it to happen, Barca will try and appease their star man.