Barcelona's Lionel Messi during the Champions League quarterfinal match between FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich at the Luz stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, Friday, Aug. 14, 2020.
(AP Photo/Manu Fernandez/Pool)MADRID Lionel Messis surprise decision to leave Barcelona has dealt a blow to the clubs restructuring project even before it began.
What might have upset him the most was the decision to get rid of Luis Surez, Messis longtime teammate and friend.
With its aging team, Barcelona endured one of its toughest seasons, the first without a title since 2007-08.
A lengthy legal batter would further hurt Barcelonas restructuring project, as would Messis departure without any financial compensation.