Edmilson: Barcelona are in a crisis because of their failed signings

Former Barcelona defender Edmilson believes Leo Messi is entitled to make his own decision over his future with the club, as speculation rolls on the last year of his contract.

The World Cup winner with Brazil, and Champions League winner with Barcelona, was among those who took Messi under his wing when coming up to the first team, and feels he is the greatest player that the club has had in recent times.

"Messi is a person who has given a lot to the club, he is the best player I have seen there in recent years, in terms of longevity," he told MARCA Claro.

"People might say Romario, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, but the consistency of Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi for ten years, scoring 70 or 90 goals, is impressive. I don't think there is a player as complete as Messi and Cristiano.

"I think Messi is in a moment to decide whether to leave or stay, but that should be decided by him, not the club. He is a person who aside from playing, wants to enjoy his football and is in a team that no longer has its connection on and off the field, it is very dangerous when you think of it like that, especially when you are in teams as big as Milan, Real Madrid or Barcelona."

Barcelona have not had the success that they are accustomed to in recent years and Edmilson feels it is natural that they are reaching the end of a cycle, but blamed poor signings for the downfall.

"All teams have to go through changes, regardless of whether it is in two or five years. Barcelona are experiencing a very difficult period politically, there is a political gap and there is a generation that has won everything and is at the end of an era, and there are changes with which they are having difficulties," he said.

"I think that Barcelona are going through a rather difficult time. They have signed players who, for me, have not shown much on the field, they have invested a lot in those players and unfortunately when a lot is invested in players who do not give collective or individual results, the crisis arrives and that for a big team is very dangerous."

Edmilson played alongside Rafa Marquez on various occasions at Barcelona, and only had words of praise for the legendary Mexican.

"Rafita had an impressive position on the field, he was intelligent, his timing was great, he did not need to run like crazy, he did it throughout his career, of course towards the end with much more experience," he said.

"I remember him perfectly during the four years that I played with him in Barcelona, he played centre back and then changed to the holding midfield position with me, he played out from the back with very precise long passes, which made him play until he was 37 or 38 years old. Off the field, [he is] a great person, very humble."