Barcelona have begun an online social media campaign supporting Lionel Messi, following the star striker’s conviction for tax fraud.
ESPN Sports Business reporter Darren Rovell relayed a tweet from club president Josep Maria Bartomeu featuring a statement pledging support for Barca’s prolific No. 10 and offering a hashtag for social media users to follow:
Here's a new one: FC Barcelona starts campaign to support star convicted of tax evasion pic.twitter.com/5Ky2rwnfDu
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) July 9, 2016
The statement was worded to rally support from all those connected with Barcelona for the Spanish club’s marquee player.
Messi was recently handed a 21-month suspended sentence after being found guilty of tax evasion. A BBC News update relayed the verdict in a report which also featured a quote from Barcelona offering Messi some support:
"FC Barcelona expresses its full support to Leo Messi and his father in relation to the conviction for tax fraud…“The club… considers that the player, who has corrected his position with the Spanish tax office, is in no way criminally responsible with regards to the facts underlined in this case."
It’s interesting Barca would initiate an official campaign after this statement. Yet, there was a feeling Messi may have felt let down by his club during the trial, according to Phil Cadden of the Sun: “Barca immediately issued a statement supporting their player but Messi is known to feel that the club could have been more supportive during the case.”
Bartomeu will know how important it is to keep Messi on their side even though fellow strikers Luis Suarez and Neymar Jr. have proved they can carry the load in the Argentinian maestro’s absence.
Yet, the real core of Barcelona’s recent success is the brilliance of the Messi, Suarez and Neymar front three. Their goalscoring and creativity has consistently overwhelmed defences and led the Blaugrana to consecutive La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey trophies and the UEFA Champions League in 2015.
Messi is still the heartbeat of Barcelona, which explains why the club has gone to such lengths to support their star player after the verdict has been reached.
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