Lionel Messi cannot diminish his reputation by leaving Barcelona because "he is the history" of the club, according to two-time World Cup winner Cafu.
Former Milan and Roma star Cafu, who is Brazil's most-capped player of all-time, says Messi "will always be Messi", regardless of which club he represents.
Speculation surrounding Messi's Barcelona future has intensified in recent weeks, amid suspicions he might consider a late-career move.
Messi reacted angrily to comments from Barcelona director of football Eric Abidal, who questioned the commitment of players during Ernesto Valverde's reign at Camp Nou.
The situation appears to have been defused for now, and Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni recently said he has no concerns about the future of his international captain.
Messi, 32, is a six-time Ballon d'Or winner and there could be a scramble among the world's richest clubs for his services if he decided he wished to seek another challenge.
Cafu admits he does not know what choice Messi will make but believes he'll always be an important part of the Catalans.
"Nobody knows. It is difficult to say whether Messi will continue at Barcelona or if he will change teams," the former Champions League winner told Omnisport .
"Messi today is the man of Barcelona, he is the history of Barcelona. But if by his choice he decides to change the team, he will always be Messi and we will always be rooting for him."
Messi is Barcelona's record scorer, having netted over 650 times for the Spanish giants - more than twice as many goals as any other player.
He has racked up scores of individual records and accolades during a dazzling professional career, which has been spent in its entirety with Barcelona.
Cafu was speaking in Berlin ahead of Monday's Laureus World Sports Awards, at which Messi is a nominee for the Sportsman of the Year prize.
"If Messi was named Sportsman of the Year it is because he deserved it all year through football," said Cafu. "Playing ball, bringing joy, having fun and making Barcelona bigger and bigger."
Cafu also recently backed Liverpool defender Alexander-Arnold to one day win a Ballon d'Or as he urged the award to acknowledge more than just attackers.
Cj_Spenza_Prolific
0
Messi, the greatest ever in Barcelona and La Liga. Ronaldo, the greatest ever in football.
American football maybe
norbashir111
0
I agree with this article. Barca would find it hard to find a spectacular player like him again. Same thing with Madrid and Cr7. He went to Barca as a young, immature boy with only dreams of becoming a great player and became the club's greatest player of all time.π― Legendary player indeed
[image]
real has always been a club witj sussec in ucl before cr7 but barca had only 1 ucl before messi now they have 5 ucl and alot more laliga tittles and that thanks to messi
norbashir111
0
Butthurted Utd fan!π€£π€£ Still mad at him for moving on with his career and pursuing greatness. Tsk tsk tskπ€¦πΎββοΈ
is true man u made cr7 great be sin ucl and bollondor
norbashir111
1
Only club messi would fo to is man city and man city is banned in ucl 2 season he wont go anywhere now trust me
norbashir111
0
His not signing contract anymore... He wants to leave
leave to where man city cant play ucl he wont go there then he want go any where
norbashir111
0
Messi will score 5 goals his nxt time playing... in 3 games he will b back on d race for golden shoe.....
Messi cant do al by himself suarez use to assist him now there is no.one assist him he had to playmake and assist
Wapeikln
1
Messi will score 5 goals his nxt time playing... in 3 games he will b back on d race for golden shoe.....
wanceortz
0
Only in camp nou πππ not Argentina or Anfield ππ one club wonder
But in bernabeu
ankitttttttttrtr
0
if you remove useless teams in Europe qualifier , cr7 will be left with 40 international goals [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
That's my problem. You guys praise Messi but not at the expense of CR7. These stupids comparison won't leae anywhere.
Maazdesai17
2
remember Barcelona if Messi leaves Barcelona will suffer. THEY will get half fans and Barcelona will get less supporters
TheSpeakingBall
1
Tbh Barca were La liga giants even before Messi's arrival....
SelvaKumar6
0
First of all tournament count is boasted by Copa del rey wins which RM didn't put as priority. And second you could praise Messi without comparing with CR7. It seems you criticise CR7. Be mature fans.
if you remove useless teams in Europe qualifier , cr7 will be left with 40 international goals [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
SelvaKumar6
0
What about Lithuania, Andorra, Cyprus, Faroes Island, Armenia, Luxembourg?? No Golden Boot for Portugal but he is the highest goal scorer in history of national teams?? Don't you think Ronaldo's goals for Portugal is padded by 70% of goals scored in qualifiers against teams that will never see the World cup??
cr7 scored 10 goals from Lithuania Luxembourg this season itself, best teams in Europe,
Sayak_Mondal
0
Shina-Ayo
0
It's funny how nobody talks about him much. They only remember Ronaldo acting like a clown in the sidelines.
They are using propaganda to promote Ronaldo and cover Eder!!! That is what I am against Even Cristiano can't face me and tell me that Eder is not his saviour!!!
dutacmnry
0
wtf?? jealousy??π€£π€£π€£π€£π€£π€£π€£π€£π€£π€£ i am sure you also laughed before commenting this
I cried
KillBillPandey
0
becus de ar jealous of him just like u
wtf?? jealousy??π€£π€£π€£π€£π€£π€£π€£π€£π€£π€£ i am sure you also laughed before commenting this
dutacmnry
0
okay just tell me then if ronaldo was so good playing in different leagues why the hell other players doesn't consider him as a toughest oponent and best player
becus de ar jealous of him just like u
KillBillPandey
0
if messi join another club he will flop das why he refused to leave Barcelona instead renewing evrywhere season use ur brain man
okay just tell me then if ronaldo was so good playing in different leagues why the hell other players doesn't consider him as a toughest oponent and best player
KillBillPandey
0
Barcelona only
lets talk about ronaldo who played in different league ...what has he done better than scoring goals?? anything??? while messi is playing as iniesta roles, playmaking,assisting,goal scoring,dribbling,passing going in different league but still couldn't do anything than scoring goals remember there is vast difference between the goal scorer and best player
dutacmnry
0
Didn't your lord pendu signed for juventus just to increase salary(gold digger) Really ??? gold digger?? messi had a lots of offer from many big big brands but he never signed as ronaldo and has rejected many advertisement if messi could he would have earned 2x than that of Ronaldo
if messi join another club he will flop das why he refused to leave Barcelona instead renewing evrywhere season use ur brain man
KillBillPandey
0
he is shut up why did he keep renewing evry year just to increase salary messi is just using Barcelona to make money in the name of humble ..but inesta renew one's when he was in Barcelona ..just keep shut u knw noting
Didn't your lord pendu signed for juventus just to increase salary(gold digger) Really ??? gold digger?? messi had a lots of offer from many big big brands but he never signed as ronaldo and has rejected many advertisement if messi could he would have earned 2x than that of Ronaldo
dutacmnry
0
Then he's worth every single penny paid!
only in Barcelona
Kudklnoptu
3
he is more than
I_Am_Barca
1
he is shut up why did he keep renewing evry year just to increase salary messi is just using Barcelona to make money in the name of humble ..but inesta renew one's when he was in Barcelona ..just keep shut u knw noting
Then he's worth every single penny paid!
I_Am_Barca
0
Eder is Cristiano saviour!!! Cristiano is not the greatest in football!!
It's funny how nobody talks about him much. They only remember Ronaldo acting like a clown in the sidelines.
pisabcks
0
now that's the way of describing Fc Barcelona
Noyblotuyz
0
@Noybliotuyz Since you not good in history or understands stats let me tell you that Zlatan has played in more leagues than Ronaldo but yet Zlatan accepted Supremacy of Messi! Cr7 4 π Zlatan 9.
are a football fan or cricket bro.... haaa haaa.. or are you LA Galaxy fan??? haa haa.
Harish_leΓΈ
0
He is the history of GREATNESS
Shina-Ayo
0
DEAR CAFU, Messi will always be Messi in Barcelona but not in Argentina.. What else do you we get from South Americans? lavishing praise on Messi as their brother, what else?ππ Wherever competition is tough,he retires..And run back to Barcelona for fake injury treated, while he prepares to play for Barcelona next game against feeder teams he shinesπππ
[image]
That is the reason why Bale is far better than Raul!!!
ankitttttttttrtr
0
What about Lithuania, Andorra, Cyprus, Faroes Island, Armenia, Luxembourg?? No Golden Boot for Portugal but he is the highest goal scorer in history of national teams?? Don't you think Ronaldo's goals for Portugal is padded by 70% of goals scored in qualifiers against teams that will never see the World cup??
Shino no point to talk to you as you have already agreed to be a CR7 hater earlier. So don't want to waste time on you.
Shina-Ayo
0
Only in camp nou πππ not Argentina or Anfield ππ one club wonder
The topic is about club football... How come Raul did not win 1 Ballon d'or despite having the same opportunity as Messi for a longer period, 17 seasons
Shina-Ayo
1
First of all tournament count is boasted by Copa del rey wins which RM didn't put as priority. And second you could praise Messi without comparing with CR7. It seems you criticise CR7. Be mature fans.
What about Lithuania, Andorra, Cyprus, Faroes Island, Armenia, Luxembourg?? No Golden Boot for Portugal but he is the highest goal scorer in history of national teams?? Don't you think Ronaldo's goals for Portugal is padded by 70% of goals scored in qualifiers against teams that will never see the World cup??
Shina-Ayo
0
Just a history in Barca will make you below Ronaldo... come out and proof the world oh my idol Messi that you can also do like Ronaldo... He he I am #Ronaldo & Messi fan.
Sporting Lisbon academy product vs Barcelona academy product?? Who do you think should be a journey man between the 2??
Shina-Ayo
0
Barcelona only
6 Ballon d'ors only[Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Shina-Ayo
1
Messi, the greatest ever in Barcelona and La Liga. Ronaldo, the greatest ever in football.
Eder is Cristiano saviour!!! Cristiano is not the greatest in football!!
Kakbeiklot
0
Messi, the greatest ever in Barcelona and La Liga. Ronaldo, the greatest ever in football.
u know what...ronaldo is best player in this world because messi is from another plannet...
Looacekln
1
Maldrid will find it to Replace cr7? But Captain fantastic Ramos is scoring penalties with more absolute ease than cr7 for Maldrid!
Looacekln
0
Just a history in Barca will make you below Ronaldo... come out and proof the world oh my idol Messi that you can also do like Ronaldo... He he I am #Ronaldo & Messi fan.
@Noybliotuyz Since you not good in history or understands stats let me tell you that Zlatan has played in more leagues than Ronaldo but yet Zlatan accepted Supremacy of Messi! Cr7 4 π Zlatan 9.
cyruseagleruler
3
respect the king
FootballKingCR7
3
Messi, the greatest ever in Barcelona and La Liga. Ronaldo, the greatest ever in football.
Looacekln
1
Barcelona only
@dutacmnry not even best for juvenrus ,dybala is juventus best player Right now!
Aviral13102
1
Barcelona only
Ballond'ors,golden balls,fifa best,golden boots too
BLACK_HEART007
1
Barcelona only
So in your opinion-one should leave the club to show he's the greatest of all time and loyalty means nothing to you. so you're one of those guy's who left there family/friends/loved ones for money right????? So i guess you don't respect and believe these guys were one of the best of their respective era and most importantly they're respected for there loyalty casillas,totti,maldini,giggs,scholes,puyol,baresi etc..... you know our club is NOT just a football club it's a family and nobody leaves their family for some rich club. do you even know why ronaldo left madrid for????? I'm not a hater of ronaldo but fans like you disgust me alot.
Noyblotuyz
0
Just a history in Barca will make you below Ronaldo... come out and proof the world oh my idol Messi that you can also do like Ronaldo... He he I am #Ronaldo & Messi fan.
that's why gear up and come to Liverpool or Juventus and win the hearts of people.. I have been playing football for 25 year bro, but the place did not suite me with lots of corruption..... the only thing I wanna see is Messi playing for another club to create more colour in football because I love football....... don't waste time to write another line my friend....
Jikdilnps
0
Barcelona only
he is laliga history he is a one man league brainless, when you have a laliga and barca and also the highest player salary all that in your hand, imagine
geraldarmour
0
Just a history in Barca will make you below Ronaldo... come out and proof the world oh my idol Messi that you can also do like Ronaldo... He he I am #Ronaldo & Messi fan.
you are talking jargons. do you know better than cafu? have you played professional football before? Messi is not just a goalscorer. he is a playmaker. put Messi in that Juventus team and Liverpool team, he will win the fans' support quickly and perform. you can't say you are a Messi fan and be saying he can't play in EPL. you are just lying with reckless abandon.
dutacmnry
0
he is Not Gold Digger π
he is shut up why did he keep renewing evry year just to increase salary messi is just using Barcelona to make money in the name of humble ..but inesta renew one's when he was in Barcelona ..just keep shut u knw noting
Pareshan
0
Barcelona only
he is Not Gold Digger π
Balachi
0
You dumb ass Halaforzaggmu fan stop showing your dumbness.Messi never asked to increase his salary. Its Barca board who increases his salary year by year because he deserves that..Its the best thing they can do for him ..Messi is playing for barca since he is 17 years old.If you can't call that loyalty I don't know what will..Ronaldo left madrid because Madrid rejected his offer to increase his salary and now you Halaforzaggmu fans are talkin about loyalty in here..
Haha.. I never know you were in Negatation table when Messi contracts signed :)