Will the future of Barcelona see Gerard Pique as club president? 

Barcelona’s season has not just been about Leo Messi says the club’s president.

Josep Bartomeu says he tells new players that sign for Barcelona to make the most of every minute of every training session not just with Messi but with Gerard Pique and Sergio Busquets, both also veterans of three successful Champions League campaigns.

Pique has made no secret of a desire to be president one day and Bartomeu says: ‘I have always said that one day the president of Barcelona will be a very recognizable, charismatic ex-player of the club.’ 

Will the future of Barcelona see Pique as President and Lionel Messi as first team coach?

The club run a project called ‘Masia 360’ that helps players of all Barcelona’s various sports teams develop skills that will serve them when they stop playing.

So is Pique taking presidential courses? ‘I suppose so yes,’ Bartomeu laughs.

‘He already has business projects. A lot of people in the club are helping him. And sometimes he calls me and says: “Hey Barto, with this situation what [would you do]” and then he either takes notice of what I say or not.’ 

Gerard Pique already talks to the club president, asking him what he would do in situations

Bartomeu is even more convinced that from the players who have helped the club win eight of the last 11 leagues a future Barcelona coach will emerge. It’s more likely to be Xavi than Messi but then you never know.

Messi has surprised many this season by giving eloquent and interesting post-match interviews in his new role as captain.

Bartomeu adds: ‘I’m not surprised because I’ve been speaking to him for years and that’s the way Leo is. There is depth to what he says.’