How Barcelona teammates said goodbye to Lionel Messi

3) Riqui Puig

Another youngster who will never have the chance to form chemistry with Messi on the pitch is Riqui Puig. The La Masia graduate has known Messi throughout his life, and the legend has shown interest in the youngster’s development as well. However, Puig was frozen out of the team for the majority of the last season, and thus could not get too much game time with the club legend in his last season with the club. He is still happy that he got to know the player, and played a few games with him. He wrote a meaningful message on Instagram which reads,

"“I’ve been able to live the dream of every kid whose passion is football. To be able to share the locker room and be a teammate of the best player in the world. To coexist, learn, and compete with him is the best thing that’s happened to me these last two years. Thank you Leo. We’re going to miss you a lot. Good luck.”"

Puig at the moment is still hoping to get his first-team career with the club flowing. He is a member of the first team however, he is not played regularly, and that will hurt his development. He may accept a loan offer this season if Koeman does not promise him enough game time.