Messi gives immense value to LaLiga, losing him would be unforgivable

Lionel Messi was on the verge of leaving Barcelona last summer. The Argentine had made a difficult decision to leave the club that saw him grow, and with which he won everything on offer.

Messi was tired of a board without any kind of project, and one which told a lot of lies, so he asked the club to let him leave. Josep Maria Bartomeu clung on and refused to negotiate for any price lower than his 700 million euro release clause. Messi didn't want to take legal action and, reluctantly, he stayed.

The ordeal isn't over though. The option of leaving the team at the end of the current campaign is still on the table. His contract is up and nobody could stop him from departing.

Without Bartomeu in charge, all of the candidates for the presidency are trying to find ways to make Leo stay at the Camp Nou. It won't be easy. Messi has been clear and he feels that his time at Barcelona is over. The new president will have to convince him with a project that makes him think that it's in his best interests to continue at Barcelona.

If Leo stays, everyone wins. It's not just a case of Barcelona, a club who would obviously benefit from keeping him in their team. But all of Spanish football would win if he stayed.

A few years ago, Spanish football lost Cristiano Ronaldo, now they can't afford to lose Mesi as well. He generates income, the fans deserve continue watching and enjoying a player like him, and he could go on to win an eighth, ninth and even a 10th Pichichi.

Messi's presence creates a level of competition that is even good for the opponents. Not keeping him would be unforgivable.