Villaflor: End of an era

It seems the La Liga has been shaken up pretty badly during the pandemic.

No one could have remotely imagined that the Spanish League table would look the way it is right now.

As it stands, Real Sociedad leads the pack with 23 points, followed by Atletico Madrid (20 pts.), Villareal (19 pts.), and, you read that right, Real Madrid (17 pts.) to round up the top four.

But—que horror!—where in the world is the great FC Barceolona?

This is a poor start for fellow giants Madrid, but Barcelona’s performance right now is just abysmal.

In the lower half of mid-table at 12th, Barcelona is a mere shadow of its former self with a measly 11 points, even with two matches to spare.

The internal turmoil raging within the cash-strapped, debt-ridden club has much to do with its worst form in recent memory.

The FC Barcelona saga culminated in the resignation of club president Josep Maria Bartomeu, along with the rest of the board of directors, late last month, after close to 20,000 Barca fans signed a petition that he step down.

The depth of Barca’s troubles became clear before the start of the season with its talismanic star player Lionel Messi’s failed attempt to leave the club for English side Manchester City.

With new Barca manager Ronald Koeman, Messi has only scored three goals, playing six of eight matches in La Liga.

The Argentine’s passion to win is gone, and it has affected his team badly.

Following losses to Getafe and Real Madrid, Barcelona’s defeat at the hands of Atletico Madrid last Nov. 22, Sunday, is a portent of the end of an era, or worse, a collapse.

Despite professing his love and dedication for the club of his youth, a weary and frustrated Messi clearly wants to leave, but he has to wait until June 30, 2021 for his contract to expire.

But that could happen sooner than expected.

The winter transfer window will open in January 2021, and reports have surfaced that Manchester City still wants to sign the talented Messi.

Barcelona must let go, move on, and start anew.

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