Legendary Germany and Bayern Munich striker, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has said that Barcelona has no soul without Lionel Messi.
The former Bayern Munich CEO stated this as he praised his former club over the way Bayern thrashed Barca 3-0 at the Nou Camp in their opening group game of the 2021/22 UEFA Champion League match.
He said Barca look different without Messi, a player who has been a key figure for the club in the last two decades.
He told German publication Bild. “Bayern played outstandingly well and deserved to win. It’s too early to talk about favourites. [The competition] only really starts with the knockout phase. If you look at the team, the way they [Barca] performed tactically. Without Messi, their souls have been ripped out. They are facing difficult times. It was imperative to sell him. The Spanish league has scored an own goal with him.”