👆 Warning: this text might seem silly to you or make perfect sense. Take this as a fancy of imagination but remember, anything is possible in football
Back in 2000, a legendary Argentine forward was named honourary president of one of the biggest clubs in the world. His name was Alfredo Di Stefano and the club is Real Madrid.
Perhaps Barcelona can do the same for another Argentine who continues to mystify football audiences worldwide and did so for 21 years wearing Blaugrana. There’s even an argument that Lionel Messi could do a better job as Barca president than the incumbent Joan Laporta.
One of Leo’s biggest tasks if he ever becomes Barca president will be to improve the squad. To do that we’ll need to see Messi work his magic in the transfer market just as he did on the pitch for so many years.
Let’s take a look at a number of players Messi will likely try to bring to Barca if he eventually becomes the club’s president.
Alejandro Garnacho
Despite being just 19, Alejandro Garnacho is one of the few lucky players who have played alongside both Cristiano Ronaldo (at Manchester United) and Messi (for Argentina). The Argentine sensation achieved that feat because of his immense talent.
Garnacho comes across as a brilliant attacker blessed with a deft touch and the technique of Messi plus the explosive power of Ronaldo. And he prefers to play at left-wing, a position that has been a free hit at Barca since Neymar left in 2017.
Plucking Garnacho from Man United wouldn't be easy but with his idol Messi as Barca president you wouldn't bet against the Blaugrana to bring another amazing attacker to Camp Nou.
Julian Alvarez
Alvarez was so good in the last year that he forced Pep Guardiola to tinker him into his starting XI even if it meant playing him behind the blond Norwegian goal machine.
In Argentina, Alvarez is already a cult hero after netting four goals in seven games en route to winning the 2022 World Cup coached on the pitch by the mythical Messi, who bagged seven goals himself at that tournament.
"Nobody imagined Julian would have the participation and importance he has shown," Messi said. "The help he has given us has been absolutely spectacular.
"He fought for everything - creating chances, fighting. For us, he was the surprising discovery, and he deserves everything that has happened to him because he is a lovely guy."
Alvarez has been properly profiled by Messi - Julian is a fighter, who can also score and create goals. What's left is for Leo to bring him to Barcelona when he seats in Laporta's chair.
Stefan Bajcetic
Barcelona are not lacking in midfielders but they look thin in defensive midfield options despite signing Oriol Romeu, who's 31 by the way.
Enter Stefan Bajcetic. A teenager with a football brain and already drawing applause in the English Premier League.
President Messi would want Bajcetic at Barca for numerous reasons. His calmness on the ball, vision, passing, tackling and ability to break up counters. This Spaniard could be the next Sergio Busquets.
Erling Haaland
Ronaldo Nazario, Ronaldinho, Neymar, Luis Suarez and recently Robert Lewandowski. Barcelona have always targeted and completed a marquee signing who arrived and instantly transformed the narrative at the club.
For president Messi, that player could be Erling Haaland. The Norwegian reckless goalscorer who averages more than a goal per game throughout his career so far.
Barcelona fell flat on their face in the race to sign Haaland in 2022. Midway through the transfer tussle, Barca pulled out after taking a hard look at their wallet and debt profile.
Things will change for the better eventually. In the future when icons like Leo Messi are leading Barca, signing players like Haaland would be a possibility, not a long shot.
Rico Lewis
English players have scarcely followed the giant footsteps of Gary Lineker to succeed at Barca which begs the question, why would Rico Lewis even be considered by president Messi?
Easy. Lewis is an exciting talent already ranked among the best right-backs of his generation.
The teenager was so good in his breakout year (2022/23) that Pep Guardiola risked losing Joao Cancelo just to play him.
"It's almost impossible to play better than him. He's 18 years old, there will be mistakes. But I had the feeling he has to play again. We need Kyle and Joao as soon as possible. In that moment I see he's in a perfect position to play," Guardiola explained benching Cancelo and Walker to play Lewis last December.
As it stands, Barcelona have an obvious need at right-back and Lewis will be an easy target for Messi's Barca if it stays that way.
Regardless of who he targets and eventually signs, Messi's potential presidency promises to be exciting and transformative for Barca. Who wouldn't want to see it happen?
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