Lionel Messi Thinks Soccer 'Will Never Be The Same' Due To Coronavirus Pandemic

Major soccer leagues are gearing up for the resumption of their respective seasons just a few days from now, but Lionel Messi does not appear as much as excited. Lamenting the negative impact of the Coronavirus pandemic to the sport, the Argentine superstar says he is not expecting the games to be the same as it was before.

"Most of us are left with doubts about what the world is going to be like after everything that has happened. Beyond the confinement and the situation that took us by surprise, many people had a really hard time because this situation affected them in some way, as it happened with all those who lost their family and friends and could not even see them,” the six-time Ballon d’Or winner told El Pais, via Goal.com.

"I think there were a lot of negative things in this crisis, but there can be nothing worse than losing the people you love the most, that creates enormous frustration for me and seems to me the most unfair thing of all. Soccer, like life in general, I think will never be the same."

Messi and FC Barcelona are looking to protect their supremacy at the top of La Liga, which is set to resume on June 11. But while they agonize with the frustrating uncertainties brought by the global crisis, Barca’s primary goal stays the same according to Messi’s teammate Luis Suarez - that is to “win all we can.”

"The ambitions are the same, win all we can and I think that we're in good shape to do that, I see the team doing well and it's hopeful,” the Uruguayan said.

La Liga plans to finish the season on the third weekend of July barring any “evolution” of the Coronavirus. The next season, meanwhile, is targeted to start on September 12.

“The important thing will be when the season finishes, although we'll only be able to congratulate ourselves when we start the following season,” La Liga president Javier Tebas said. "God willing, that day will be 12 September and hopefully we'll be able to say we have overcome this most difficult period, but at least we will be better prepared."

Barcelona has 11 games left in the season and is two points ahead of Real Madrid in the standings. The former is set to face Mallorca on the 13^th as the Spanish capital is scheduled to return on the 14^th taking on Eibar.