Just weeks ago, it seemed that Lionel Messi\u2019s relationship with the club was beyond repair. He wanted to leave, we know that much, and we know how much he wanted it. And while the Argentine is still very much his otherworldly self most of the time, there were some signs that his heart was maybe not in it as much.<\/p>\n
The good news for Barca fans is that Lionel Messi is smiling again.<\/p>\n
Not only that but the game against Juventus the other night also showed football fans around the globe, and naturally all Barca diehards, the vintage performance everyone is so used to seeing week in, week out from the Barcelona maestro nad talisman.<\/p>\n
Although he again only scored from the spot, this being his third one for the season, it\u2019s never really\u00a0just\u00a0about the goals with Messi as he was ostensibly dictating play, creating chances, taking people on and guiding Barcelona again, as he often did commandingly in the past, to a dominant 2-0 victory over the Bianconeri in their home turf.<\/p>\n
And then came the poignant moment at the end of the game when there was a delicate rapprochement between him and new boss Ronald Koeman a the duo actually hugged, hopefully an indication signaling their relationship is improving a step at a time.<\/p>\n
Obviously it would not be too far-fetched to attribute this d\u00e9tente to the resignation en-masse of Josep Maria Bartomeu and his board, as the entire football world knows that was the bone of contention in Messi\u2019s stained relations with the club and with the immensely unpopular president gone, hopefully the bond between the club\u2019s talisman and his home club of almost two decades would be restored. Regardless of whether he finally chooses to extend his contract beyond the end of the current campaign or depart for newer pastures like Manchester City to reunite with his former mentor and coach, Pep Guardiola.<\/p>\n
Future scenarios and conjectures aside, Koeman himself is currently adamant his captain is motivated and hungry for more and the recent developments on and off the pitch show that they are at least on the same page. For now.<\/p>\n