Lionel Messi, who has often been dubbed as the best player of Barcelona, might soon leave the club for good. After nearly two decades with the Spanish giants, Messi has decided to leave on a free transfer, reports the Guardian.
Jorge Messi this morning has communicated in a phone call to Barcelona president Bartomeu that his son Leo is leaving, via @FApor_elmundo
— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) August 25, 2020
Fax sent by Messi’s team. #fcblive #fcbnews pic.twitter.com/wsGV0h9an7
— FC Barcelona: News ™️ (@fcbarcelonaorg) August 25, 2020
The announcement came in 11 days after Barcelona’s 8-2 loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarterfinals. While speculations of the legendary footballer’s move from Barcelona were constantly being made, this terrible defeat proved to be the final nail on the coffin.
However, things might get a little tricky since Messi’s release clause ended in June, and he will remain under contract till 2021, reports the Indian Express. As Messi prepares to leave the senior Barcelona team, speculations have been made that he is in talks with Manchester City bosses as of now, reports the Mirror.
Lionel Messi has reportedly chosen Manchester City as his new team. This per @marcelobechler, the same person who first broke that Messi wanted out of Barcelona a week ago.
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) August 26, 2020
Barcelona legend Lionel Messi has handed in a transfer request and wants to leave the club immediately.
👉 https://t.co/4UZwkJVo63 pic.twitter.com/38M2te2C75
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 26, 2020
While only time will tell which team Messi joins, his exit from Barcelona has sent social media on a frenzy. Fans all around the globe are sharing emotional notes for Barcelona’s star player.
Lionel Messi will end his Barcelona career with the most goals, assists, titles, individual awards, wins, goal contributions, UCL titles, UCL goals, UCL assists, el classico goals, el classico assists, wins in the club’s history.
The Greatest Player in the History of the Club. pic.twitter.com/zEEijxGIkG
— Joe (@MessidemicV2) August 25, 2020
Barcelona without Lionel Messi won't be Barcelona. Period.💔 pic.twitter.com/jLhNb8cauJ
— Yash🍷 (@imyashh19) August 25, 2020
Lionel Messi is actually leaving Barcelona. This is a whole other level of pain. I'm not ready for this.
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) August 25, 2020
End of an era 😭😭 Messi to leave Barcelona this summer 😒😞it’s hard to believe that he’s leaving Barcelona.. 16 years ago a boy with billions of dreams arrived at FCB and left the club like a legend!!
Leo Messi forever ♥️ pic.twitter.com/zysTlt4YAv— ⒹⒽⒺⒺⓇⒶⒿ 👑 (@_iamdheeraj) August 26, 2020
Barcelona don't deserve the acronym FC anymore. No other player in the history of football has brought so much value to a club than Lionel Messi.He has been so much loyal to his club as well as to his fans. It's very hurtful to see his sorrow. pic.twitter.com/8JdvxwvSQS
— pratik jadhav (@pratikj33506291) August 26, 2020
Never doubt his loyalty 🐐#Messi #GOAT pic.twitter.com/qN2GvFk0Qh
— 𝔅𝔞𝔤𝔤𝔦𝔬 ➐ (@BaggioM10) August 25, 2020
Lionel Messi is actually leaving Barcelona. This is a whole other level of pain. I'm not ready for this.#MessiLeavingBarca pic.twitter.com/3hwAsQT7yE
— Arjun (@ashrestha273) August 26, 2020
Lionel Messi over the year playing for Fc Barcelona 😭 pic.twitter.com/z5jCwJOPk4
— Lyndio Sport (@LyndioSport) August 25, 2020
Lionel Messi's last goal in Barcelona Jersey is a dream goal for many 😔pic.twitter.com/qY33CUyQdI
— #FAN (@Sarcastic__Raj) August 26, 2020
I’ve been admiring this man’s talent for as long as I can remember he is one of the few people who I always look up to. I do believe he’ll always shine wherever he goes #Messi #GOAT pic.twitter.com/RB86wvFddR
— Hadil⁷ (@jkha518) August 25, 2020
He arrived to Barcelona as a young kid with dreams of titles and making history.
He won titles and made history.
He had dreams of becoming a legend and finishing his career at Barça.
He became a legend, but one man ruined his one last dream..
Thank you, Lionel Messi ❤️ pic.twitter.com/CVA66wzNym
— Barca for Life (@barcacatalona) August 26, 2020
The very thought that we wont able to seem him again in that barca jersy itself is terrifying. After 16 years in @FCBarcelona, Lionel Messi has informed the team that he wants to leave. 2020 cant get worse than this. 😔 pic.twitter.com/KDXZjkMDhp
— The Saudade Guy🌹 (@arunrajpaul) August 25, 2020
I learned Spanish just for Messi, dreaming that one day I could go to Barcelona and watch one of his game, seeing him leave with glory and cheers, just like Xavi and Iniesta. Never thought that one day it would end like this. 20 years of glory and now he's only getting this? pic.twitter.com/Yk0hv661xu
— Fionaliu (@Fionali10903265) August 26, 2020
The 33-year-old, who is one of the top players in the world, won a record six Ballon d’Or awards during his 16 years with Barcelona. He also helped the club win 10 La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League crowns. Well, Messi is a legend and GOAT and Barcelona FC will never be the same without him.
We❤️you Messi.