Barcelona is determined to compete for every trophy this season and is carefully planning moves to strengthen the squad while maintaining the right balance between attack and defense. With the goal of returning to the pinnacle of European football, club president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco are working tirelessly to bring in top-tier talent that matches Barcelona’s ambitions.
Club legend Lionel Messi, though now playing for Inter Miami in MLS, continues to support his former team from afar. He maintains regular contact with Laporta and Deco and frequently shares his advice on potential signings who could make a difference for Barcelona.
One of Messi’s key suggestions has been Manchester City forward Julián Álvarez, viewed as a possible successor to Robert Lewandowski should the Polish striker depart at the end of the season. Messi’s close bond with Álvarez, both as Argentina teammates and through shared professional ties, has led him to strongly recommend the young striker to the Catalan side.
Messi has also pointed to Manchester United defender Lisandro Martínez as a valuable option to address Barcelona’s defensive challenges, particularly after Iñigo Martínez’s transfer to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr. With coach Hans-Dieter Flick uncertain about Andreas Christensen and Ronald Araújo in central defense, Messi believes Lisandro could provide world-class stability at the back.
Even so, Barcelona’s top defensive target remains Alessandro Bastoni of Inter Milan, considered the ideal candidate to solidify the backline. Should financial constraints prevent his signing, the club could shift its focus to Lisandro Martínez despite the higher cost, recognizing his potential to significantly strengthen the defense.
Overall, Barcelona continues to pursue reinforcements in both attack and defense as it chases long-awaited silverware. Meanwhile, Messi remains a guiding influence, offering insights that could help steer his former club back to European dominance.
