JAKARTA - The new La Liga season kicks off this weekend under a cloud of uncertainty without the league's flag bearer, Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, Barcelona and Real Madrid are in open war with the presidents of other league and club organizations.
Messi's unexpected departure to Paris Saint-Germain has left a gaping hole in Barcelona's squad as they contemplate a future without their record scorer, most featured and most successful player, which they have built for so long.
Messi's departure will also further exacerbate the club's already weak financial situation with marketing consultant Brand Finance estimating the club's value could fall by up to 11 percent.
La Liga's status as one of the world's top leagues will also be hit where the value of broadcasting rights also drops and sponsorship deals are also likely to decrease without the world's most famous player.
The league was once famous for the fierce duel of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo who fought for the title of the world's best player. The Argentine had few competitors when the Portuguese left Real Madrid for Juventus in 2018.
Real striker Karim Benzema, Atletico Madrid's Luis Suarez and Barcelona striker Antoine Griezmann are now the most famous players in the league, but none of them have come close to the madness of Messi and Ronaldo around the world.
La Liga had other problems after announcing a 2.7 billion euros injection following a deal with private equity firm CVC Capital Partners which was widely welcomed by many clubs but rejected by Barca and Real.
Real said they would sue La Liga president Javier Tebas and CVC head Javier de Jaime Guijarro over the deal, while Barcelona president Joan Laporta said he would not accept the deal. The Spanish football federation also opposed the move.
The row over a deal the league believes will make it more competitive and financially viable is the latest chapter in a split between La Liga and its two biggest clubs following the failed attempts by Barca and Real to launch the European Super League.
The good news is that spectators will return to the stadium when the game starts, albeit in a reduced number that has been agreed with local authorities.
Valencia will welcome 15,000 spectators against Getafe in their opener tomorrow Friday. It was the largest spectator attendance in Spain since the coronavirus pandemic disrupted world football in March 2020.
Real Madrid, starting their second era under coach Carlo Ancelotti, travel to Alaves on Saturday.
Meanwhile, around 30,000 spectators will watch Barcelona host Real Sociedad the next day in their first game in 17 years without Lionel Messi.
League champions Atletico Madrid begin their title defense at home to Celta Vigo on Sunday. They hope to reap the benefits of the chaos that hit Barca and Madrid.
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