Double Trouble at the Nou Camp

The past year at FC Barcelona has been one to forget. To the naked eye, it would seem that Barcelona have just been unlucky on the pitch, narrowly losing out on the title to Atletico and also being tactically out muscled by them in Europe, not to mention losing to their fierce rivals in the Copa del Rey. Now there are murmurings of a swift exit of their talisman and four times winner of the coveted Ballon D'Or Award, Lionel Messi.

Now, rumour has it that Lionel Messi has been in an altercation with manager Luis Enrique, and that his days in the Catalan capital are numbered. This is not the first time he has been rumoured with an exit from the Nou Camp, with reports surfacing last November, but were quickly dismissed. I remember first hearing these rumours and laughing it off as more journalists trying to write something controversial, it is now looking increasingly like they were correct even though deep down, I'm not convinced that he will leave the club. These reports resurfaced after he was left out of Barcelona's 1-0 defeat against David Moyes' Real Sociedad, the same David Moyes that was made a mockery by Liverpool fans no more than seven months ago. 

What would it mean for Barcelona if they lost their Argentinian superstar?

There would be no doubt that the departure of Lionel Messi from Barca would shock the world, but for the rest of the squad, it could have bigger consequences. For many years, Lionel Messi has single handedly won Barcelona vital games through nothing but his own magic, without him, they would likely to be relying on Luis Suarez or Neymar, which another cloud of mystery shrouds the young Brazilian. (They're not lacking any talent up front by any means.) Even with Messi onboard at the minute, confidence is at an all-time low, so the effect of his departure could be catastrophic.

Looking at the Sociedad game, Barca lacked the cutting edge in the final third in the first half and this was largely down to none of their talismen being on the pitch, Once the big guns were loaded off the bench in the second half, they looked a lot brighter, but were still unable to breach Sociedad's impenetrable defence. A happy David Moyes capped a truly miserable night for Luis Enrique and co. A positive result and performance is imperative tonight in the match against Elche.

The antics of the board have brought nothing but doom and gloom upon Barcelona.

Leaving the exciting stuff to the side, upstairs has been nothing but doom and gloom in Barcelona. Just under a year ago former President Sandro Rosell resigned after Judge Pablo Ruz ordered the start of a hearing to investigate him for alleged desecration of funds during the signing of Brazil's Neymar. The club has been dragged through endless quarrels among the board and Josep Maria Bartomeu, Rosell's replacement, has announced that elections will take place at the end of the season in an attempt to revive the faltering board of one of the world's most prestigious clubs.

Club legend Andoni Zubizaretta was sacked earlier in the week and this has prompted the uproar at the club, not to mention the resignation of his understudy, former captain Carles Puyol. Zubizarreta was in the Barca team that won their first Champions League back in 1992 and had held the position of Director of Football since 2010. With Puyol leading Barcelona through their successful Guardiola era, both were held in high regard by the fans and now even more questions will be asked about the board.

The negative effects have also taken its toll on the youth team, Barcelona B as they lie just one point off the relegation zone in second division. With Barca's renowned youth team suffering, some believe that the team is being badly managed and even with the vast array of talented youngsters at their disposal, it could slowly cause damage higher up the pecking order. The mismanagement could deter future players from arriving at the door step of the fabled academy, however this is probably taking things to a major extreme.

Die a hero or live long enough to become a villain.

Not only has the Messi vendetta cast a shadow over the future of the player in the Catalan capital, Enrique could be treading on thin ice. Barca fans expected great things from their former player who once graced the turf at the Nou Camp when he was in the good books of the Barca faithful. Now, even though they are lying in second position, performances of late haven't been up to scratch and the pressure is building on the former Barca and Real Madrid player. With the elections coming up at the end of the season, the new President may not be as kind to Enrique as Bartomeu has been, that's if he hasn't been given the chop before that. If Messi leaves, Enrique could be the first one to follow him out.

Remember the days when the Barcelona set-up appeared untouchable? It is looking like several cracks are appearing in the walls at the Nou Camp. The club was once a model for others now it appears to have got into the wrong hands and is on a downward plummet. The days of Guardiola are long gone and with the current situation it could be a while before those heights are returned. However, with the elections occurring at the end of the season, it brings hope for fans that the current predicament can be eradicated and things can get back on track.