Barcelona Stars Past and Present Pay Tribute to Soccer Icon Lionel Messi After Shock Exit : SOCCER : Sports World News

news7g10/29/2021

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TOPSHOT – Followers crowd exterior the Camp Nou stadium the place Barcelona’s Argentinian ahead Lionel Messi held a press convention in Barcelona on August 8, 2021. Messi fought again tears as he started a press convention at which he confirmed he’s leaving Barcelona, the place he has performed his complete profession. (Photograph : PAU BARRENA/AFP through Getty Photos)

As information of Lionel Messi’s gorgeous exit from FC Barcelona continues to rumble on, former teammates have come out and heaped reward on the Argentine celebrity who will go down as one in every of, if not the best participant within the Catalan giants’ historical past.

Former Barcelona midfielder and Spanish legend Andres Iniesta paid tribute to Messi in an interview with RTVE, saying, “It was a privilege to be by his aspect for such a very long time.” Iniesta mentioned Messi was No. 1 and that he hasn’t seen anybody else do what Messi has executed 12 months after 12 months with Barcelona and the way he bettered himself and influenced the crew.

Pique admits Barcelona is damaged with Messi’s departure

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique mentioned that the membership is a bit damaged due to Messi’s stunning departure. He mentioned, “We have misplaced the perfect participant of all time. It has harm us and it harm him too.” Pique, who has been named one in every of Barca’s 4 new captains in gentle of Messi’s exit, mentioned that they aren’t the identical aspect by way of expertise and magic with the six-time Ballon d’Or winner now gone.

New Barcelona captain Sergio Busquets additionally paid tribute to Messi, giving because of the soccer icon for taking the membership to the highest of European soccer and making historical past within the course of. Busquets mentioned, “Being the perfect on this planet and beating all particular person and collective data. We want you the perfect. Everlasting thanks, Leo.”

Barcelona supervisor Ronald Koeman additionally showered Messi with reward, saying, “you’ll at all times miss somebody who’s the perfect on this planet.” Koeman, nonetheless, insists that Barcelona has to just accept this actuality and that it’s time for the membership’s youthful stars to make the most of the brand new alternatives sooner or later.

Associated Article: Lionel Messi To Leave FC Barcelona: Club Announces Shock Exit After Contract Dispute With La Liga

Lineker and De Jong pay tribute to Messi’s greatness

Former Barcelona and England participant Gary Lineker additionally praised Messi’s legacy whereas watching his emotional handle on Sunday, saying, “No participant within the historical past of the game has given a lot pleasure, so many unforgettable moments, a lot success to 1 membership.”

That’s really the case for Messi, who led Barcelona to 4 Champions League titles and 10 Spanish La Liga crowns in his profession. Throughout his 21-year stick with the membership, he supplied inspiration, scoring a report 672 targets in his 17 seasons on the Spanish prime flight.

Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who was on the information convention on Sunday, posted on social media platform Twitter that he loved watching all of Messi’s video games together with his brother on TV of their room when he was a baby. De Jong later added that “It has been a dream to play alongside the perfect participant in historical past.”