Bartomeu's poor problem-solving indicates how Messi saga will end: 5 times Barca president tried to save face and how it backfired

La Masia

• Problem: Talented youngsters like Take Kubo, Xavi Simons, Eric Garcia and others leaving Barcelona's academy.
• Bartomeu's solution: Nothing.
• Result: The Catalans have stopped counting on homegrown talent with Carles Alena, Riqui Puig and Ansu Fati being the only exceptions.

Signings

• Problem: The need to improve the team with new players.
• Bartomeu's solution: Barca have spent over a billion euros on signings.
• Result: The key players on the team are the same as they were five years ago but they've gotten way older.

Neymar's replacement

• Problem: The club needed a good forward to link up with Leo Messi and Luis Suarez after Neymar left for Paris Saint-Germain.
• Bartomeu's solution: The Catalans signed Ousmane Dembele for €120m and Philippe Coutinho for €145m.
• Result: Both players have flopped (at least so far).

Valverde

• Problem: Ernesto Valverde proved that he wasn't qualified enough to coach the Catalans after being eliminated from the Champions League by Roma despite having a three-goal advantage.
• Bartomeu's solution: The president kept the coach and even publicly backed him.
• Result: Then followed the 4-0 loss to Liverpool and a poor half of the 2019/20 season, after which Valverde was sacked.

Valverde's replacement

• Problem: The club needed a competent coach to take over mid-season.
• Bartomeu's solution: We hired Quique Setien after both Xavi and Ronald Koeman rejected the offers.
• Result: 8-2 loss to Bayern Munich, Blaugrana finished trophyless for the first time in 12 years.

The Messi saga

• Problem: Leo wants to leave the club and would like to agree a friendly exit.
• Bartomeu's solution: Refusing to sell the player while offering him a new contract instead.

What do you think the result of the Messi saga be?