Barca will change their name If Lionel Messi leaves - Eto'o

Former Barcelona and Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o has joked that the Catalans will have to change their name should Lionel Messi depart the club.

The 33-year-old La Masia saw his side lost 8-2 to Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals of the Champions League last Friday.

"I love Messi like he was my own son, I want the best for him. Barcelona is Messi and I think if Messi decides to leave, we'll have to change the name of the club,” Eto’o told Argentine TV channel TyCSports.

“We are lucky in that at Barcelona, we have the best player in the world and of all-time, we have to do everything possible to ensure he finishes his career at Barcelona."

Eto’o admitted that Barcelona are having a tough time but added that the pressure needs to be put on the club hierarchy so the right decisions in the transfer window in order to put the club forward.

“The players who arrived had difficulty adapting,” he continued.

"I want Barcelona to get up and dream for next season. And finally, he put some pressure on the leadership. I hope that those who make decisions, make decisions for the good of Barcelona."

Eto’o played for Barcelona between 2004 and 2009, winning eight titles including three La Liga and two Champions League crowns.