An idea of ​​life after Lionel Messi thrills Barcelona

A poster on which is written: "The extraordinari es that seems normal" is written in large on a huge billboard that extends on one of the main walls of the Nou Camp offices. It means: "The extraordinary thing is that it seems normal".

It's against a backdrop of Barcelona players celebrating their eighth title in 11 years. It's about the team, but it could easily be about Lionel Messi.

Josep Maria Bartomeu, President of Barcelona, ​​entrusts behind the walls of these offices the following morning of the previous night: "We live the Messi experience for years, we observe, live with him here, in our club.

Lionel Messi (left) photographed in 2014 with Josep Maria Bartomeu after signing a new contract

"I know it's extraordinary, but I see the situation as normal now." When he was awarded this free kick, we almost knew that he was going there. & # 39;

He paints a picture of the scene in the main stand before Messi scores. "A few seconds ago, speaking to my companions in the directors box, we said," Perfect, a little further, where it is best for him. to get in. It's coming in. It's safe. "

"Leo is special. We see a wall but he sees a breach. And it's just right there. Messi is a genius, but we live with a genius as if it was normal. It's been so many seasons, so many games.

The big question that arises in Barcelona – and that they hope to be able to defer as long as possible – is how will the future be without it?

Real Madrid has collapsed this season in its first campaign since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo.

While heading to another league title in Italy with Juventus, without him, Real is 18 points behind the top with three games to play and he came out of the Champions League in the last leg.

Messi free kick: Barcelona beat Liverpool 3-0 on Wednesday night

The effect on Barcelona when Messi leaves could be even more important, as he not only loses his best player of all time, he also loses a standard-bearer – the biggest man at a football club.

"You have to remember that he came here at 13, he was brought up here," says Bartomeu. "He knows everyone and everybody knows him. He is part of the club.

"Outwardly, he creates such expectations, but inside, we do not live like that. He lives everything very normally. And although he is exceptional, he plays for the team. Against Liverpool, he could have scored more, but he pbaded to the hands of his teammates.

The thought of a future without a club icon, Messi, 32 years old in June, makes Barcelona shudder

Those who work with Messi believe that it could continue another five years. In terms of physics and style of play, there are similarities with Gianfranco Zola, who played for Chelsea until the age of 36. This is taken into account at Barca. It is better to buy a player like Ousmane Dembele, who will be 26 years old, in 26 years old, than a player who is already that age.

But, as Dembele showed on Wednesday, when he missed the opportunity to qualify 4-0, he's only a human. An heir to the superhuman Messi can not be bought.

"Pele is still badociated with Santos, the only place he played," Bartomeu said. "Leo is part of world football, but he has always lived in Barcelona. He will be a man from a club. He will stop playing, but he will always be with us.

That might be true in a metaphorical sense, but one day he will not be on the ground to destroy teams as he destroyed Liverpool. Barca hopes that this day will be a long time coming.

Messi has escaped the punishment imposed by UEFA, although Argentina's television channel showed Argentine midfielder Argentinian coach Fabinho on Wednesday. He is free to play in Tuesday's return leg at Anfield.

Messi has escaped the punishment imposed by UEFA despite the images of the television showing the Argentine striker Fabinho, Liverpool midfielder, Wednesday