Capello warns Barca and Messi against repeating Real Madrid's mistake with Ronaldo's departure

Former Real Madrid manager Fabio Capello believes the Catalans should approach Leo Messi's future career end with big care, as he compares his role at Barca to the one Cristiano Ronaldo had at Madrid.

“As a television commentator I would always say that if you want to beat Madrid, you have to score at least two goals because you knew that Cristiano would be sure to get one. The same applies to Barca with Messi," said Capello as cited by Diario AS.

“It is necessary to make changes, but with care. You have to sign players who make a difference because when you wear the Madrid or Barca shirt it can weigh heavily on your shoulders. If you don't have lots of quality, you can't do it, you get lost.

“The same thing happened during my time at Milan when it was time to play at the San Siro. There were players who thought they were good and... they found themselves lost.”

Los Blancos indeed suffered one of the worst seasons after Ronaldo's departure - the team lost two coaches, finished third in La Liga, crashed out from Copa del Rey to Barcelona and suffered a real humiliation at Santiago Bernabeu at the hands of Ajax (1-4).

Giving the fact that Messi is immensely more important for Barcelona than Ronaldo ever was for Real Madrid, the team indeed should already start preparing for him hanging up his boots. Even if Leo is planning to play for five more years or so.

Capello has had an illustrious career as a manager, working with such teams as AC Milan, Real Madrid, Juventus and Roma, as well as the English and Russian national teams.

The Italian coach has overseen 846 games as a manager winning a handful of trophies.