Lionel Messi had become the face of Barcelona over his 21-year run with the club. The club and the player became synonymous, and his commitment to the club means that he also played in quite a few generations of the club. He has played with the likes of Ronaldinho to the likes of Ansu Fati, and everyone is devastated to see him leave. The choice was not his to make, Lionel Messi wanted to stay, and remain a one-club player. However, new regulations forced him to look for another club.
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The 34-year-old spent many memorable years at the club, and he has been with the club through their highs and lows. He was present when the club won the sextuple, and he was also there when the club lost 7-0 to Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League. He is a determined player, and he hates to lose. However, he decided to stay with the club even though their most difficult moments, as it was more than a club to him, Barcelona was his home, his teammates were his family, and fans were the ones he cherished the most.
It will be difficult to see him play in a different club, wearing different colors, and having different fans sing his name. However, in life, we must learn how to move forward. We can sit around and wish for things to go back the way they were or we can look forward to the magical future which awaits us, and Lionel Messi would want Barca fans to do the latter. Having said that, the legend still deserves a good farewell, and his teammates have already begun to wish him the best on his journey forward.
Former teammates’ write farewell message to Lionel Messi
Many former Barcelona players, who played alongside Messi have shown their support for the Argentine, and many players who are currently playing for the Catalans have done the same. Here are some of the players who sent the Catalan legend a heartfelt goodbye on their social media, and of course in person as well.
10) Gerard Pique
The 34-year-old Spaniard has been with Lionel Messi since 2008, when he decided to come back to Barcelona from Manchester United. With the legendary forward, the player managed to win everything that there was to win in club football. He is the oldest player in the club who is still playing, and he would have loved to continue with his childhood friend. The player was a part of the Barcelona youth academy and knew Messi even before either of them played a single game for the first team. He said on Instagram,
"“Nothing will ever be the same. Not Camp Nou, not the city of Barcelona, not ourselves. After more than 20 years at the Club, you will no longer wear the Barça jersey. Reality, at times, is very tough.. There are still things to be done. Enjoy it, have fun wherever you go and keep winning like only you know how. We’re going to miss you”"
It will be tough for the center-back to go on without Messi however, he is a leader, and will probably be one of the candidates for the new captain. It’s a heartbreaking moment for him however, he must be strong and lead the youngsters in the club.
9) Sergio Busquets
Another player who has been playing with the six-time Ballon d’Or winner for a very long time is Sergio Busquets. The Spanish holding midfielder has been with the Argentine through all the highs and lows of the club, and they have shared victory and defeat together. The players undoubtedly became good friends over the years, and the Spanish captain sent a heartfelt message to his former teammate, and his family via Instagram. He said,
"“You arrived as a kid and you’re leaving as the best player in history, having made this club grow to such heights and making history both individually and as a team… I can only wish you the best for you and your family because you all deserve it. You will all be missed.”"
Busquets, being one of the oldest players in the squad, will most likely be in the running for captaincy at the club next season alongside the likes of Pique and Jordi Alba. Even if he does not pick up the armband, the number of young players in the team will definitely need guidance, and Busquets will need to take up that responsibility.
8) Sergi Roberto
The 29-year-old versatile right-back was also a part of the Barcelona youth academy however when he was in the academy, Lionel Messi was already part of the first team. The player made his first-team debut in 2013, and has been an influential player in the club ever since. His relationship with Messi goes beyond the field, as the legend has helped him grow as a player and human. He left a message on Instagram saying,
"“We’ll never be able to give back to you everything you have given to us. I wish the best to you and your family. We love you and we’re going to miss you. Eternally thankful”"
Roberto is currently contemplating whether he will be staying at Barcelona or not, and if negotiations do not go his way, he could also be following Messi’s footsteps, and leaving the club. The Catalans have Sergino Dest as a replacement, and thus Roberto is not a big priority at the moment.
7) Jordi Alba
One of the oldest players in the squad, and one of the best, Jordi Alba, wrote a heartfelt paragraph for Lionel Messi on his departure. The two shared a special bond on the field, and off it as well. They were inseparable on the field, as Alba knew exactly where to find Messi, and the Argentine never let him down either. Most of Alba’s assists have been to Messi, and this is a connection we will no longer enjoy from next season onwards. He wrote on Instagram,
"“What a privilege to have been able to share these 9 seasons together. I was lucky enough to have been there in person to see your first goal in 2005 vs Albacete and I never thought that one day we would have that mutual feeling that with just one look we understood each other .. You aren’t just the best player in history but also an exceptional human being”"
Alba is currently one of the starters for the Catalans however, Ronald Koeman has been looking to replace him. Alba’s unique playstyle is what keeps him in the team, and his numerous assists from the wing-back position cement his position in the first team. However, with the departure of Messi, he will need to build up chemistry with the new forwards in the team, and continue performing alongside them.
6) Ansu Fati
Lionel Messi’s departure means that the younger generation will now have to fill in the massive boots left behind by the player. One of the players who has been poised to take over that role is young superstar, Ansu Fati. The 18-year-old played quite a few games with his idol over the last two years, and he even made a brilliant start to the previous season alongside Messi. Like the others, he also wrote an emotional message to Lionel Messi on his social media. He said,
"“Every boy who arrives at La Masia dreams of being able to play with you. I feel fortunate to have done it. I want to thank you for your gestures towards me these two years and for everything I learned. I wish you all the best for you and your loved ones.”"
The two players had great chemistry between them last season, and Messi seemed genuinely happy to put Fati in the spotlight ahead of him. It was a shame that the player then got injured, and we may now never see the true potential the two might have had on the pitch together.
5) Carles Puyol
A legend at Barcelona, and a legend in football, Carles Puyol, left a short and sweet farewell to his former teammate. Puyol was arguably Barcelona’s greatest ever captain, and he had the responsibility to manage a mercurial player such as Lionel Messi. Without a commanding and caring captain such as Puyol, Messi could have fallen out of order and ended up like stars such as Ronaldinho, who were talented but were lazy as well. However, under the mentorship of Puyol, he became the world’s best player. Carles wrote on Instagram,
"“Many thanks for everything #leo, we will never be able to thank you for all that you have given us, I wish you the best. #viscaelbarça”"
Puyol as of now, is not connected with Barcelona at all, however, it is very likely that Joan Laporta will bring him in as a member of the board. He was offered the role of Sporting Director in 2019 but he rejected that, however, his relationship with Laporta might compel him to take the spot this time around.
4) Xavi Hernandez
Another Barcelona legend, and in fact one of the most important players to have ever worn the Catalan shirt, wished Lionel Messi all the best for his future endeavors. Xavi was the perfect midfielder, with amazing vision, brilliant awareness, and the ability to bang in a goal. His relationship with Messi went beyond the field, and it is quite obvious that he is the player whom Messi looked up to. He wrote in an Instagram post,
"“As a culer, teammate and friend I can only thank you for everything you have given us during these years. Whatever you do, I wish you the best. #thebestinhistory”"
Messi truly believed in Xavi’s style of play, and he wanted to bring in Xavi as their manager after Luis Enrique left the club. He once again asked for Xavi when Quique Setien was sacked, however, the board never brought him in. As for now, Xavi is still managing Al Sadd, although Laporta has publicly stated that Xavi will coach the team in the future.
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.
2) Antoine Griezmann
The troubled star of Barcelona has come out and wrote a long heartfelt message to Messi. The two were often pitted against each other by the media, and the media even said that Messi wanted Griezmann out of the club. These were of course rumors and allegations, which Griezmann denied vehemently. Although the two did not get off to the best of starts, they later got good chemistry going, and both of them had a wonderful 2020/21 season. Griezmann wrote in his post,
"“The only thingI can say to you is what any person who loves football would say: THANK YOU! Thank you for everything you have done in Barcelona! For the city, for the club… you changed everything! I am sure it is not a goodbye but a see you later and that your path will once again cross with Barça. I wish you the best & may you and your family be happy.”"
Griezmann was on the transfer list this season, as the Catalans were looking to offload some of their top earners. However, they later decided against this, and now it looks like Griezmann will most likely stay at the club. With the departure of Messi, the Frenchman will have more chances to shine, thus we will have to wait and see how he performs next season.
1) Andres Iniesta
One of Barcelona’s top legends, and Lionel Messi’s very close friends, Andres Iniesta, wrote a long sentimental message to his former teammate. The 37-year-old World Cup winner has shared some amazing moments with Messi, and his message shows us that even his closest of friends will have a hard time accepting his departure. Iniesta handed over the captain’s armband to Messi, thus they have a special bond, and his message is very emotional. He said on Instagram,
"“We lived together for 14 years, we went through many moments (some magical and others very screwed up) but we always stayed together. Imagining the club without you or the possibility of seeing you at Camp Nou with another shirt is very difficult. In these moments I wish that both you and your family are as good as possible. Good luck, Leo. It was a pleasure playing together”"
Iniesta is currently playing for the Japanese side, Vissel Kobe, and he handed over the captaincy to Messi in 2018. The two shared a very unique bond, and they will keep supporting each other even though neither of them play for Barcelona any longer.
Which is your favorite memory of Lionel Messi at Barcelona?