Mes que Messi

Luis Suárez, the Ballon D’Or in 1960, was sold on immediately for a world record fee. Johan Cruyff, the Ballon D’Or in 1973 and 1974, was later (as manager) hounded out of the club with such devastating effect that he left management forever and in spite of returning to the club with advice has never taken up an official post with them since his departure.

Diego Maradona, the greatest player of all time (con el permiso de Cruyff…) suffered injury and illness so he was sold on for a record fee after the president decided he was no longer any use to the club. Hristo Stoichkov and Romário – Ballon D’Or and FIFA World Player respectively for 1994 – lived through acrimonious departures after falling out with the president and other club directors.

Ronaldo, FIFA World Player in 1996 and 1997, was suddenly dumped out of the club for a world record fee straight after winning the award. Fellow countryman Rivaldo, Ballon D’Or in 1999, was suddenly released from contract at the end of one season.

Ronaldinho, FIFA World Player in 2004 and Ballon D’Or the following year, was thrown out by the president as soon as he was injured. Samuel Eto’o, an excellent player who is by no means out of place with the above names, was forced out after constant rumours in the Catalan press drew a distinct lack of support from within the club, and he was subsequently released only as part of a deal for another player (claiming he was fiddled out of money into the bargain).

It seems FC Barcelona are not just “mès que un club”, they also go to great pains to show they are more than any player. As soon as a player reaches the top, the club proves that they are still higher. So just how long will Leo Messi, FIFA World Player and Ballon D’Or for 2009, survive?