‘End of an era’ – How the world reacted to Lionel Messi leaving Barcelona
After more than 20 incredible and illustrious years at the club, Lionel Messi has officially left Barcelona.
Messi, who became a free agent at the end of 2020-21, had been expected to sign a new five-year contract but the salary cap imposed by La Liga made it impossible.
“Despite FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi having reached an agreement and the clear intention of both parties to sign a new contract today, this cannot happen because of financial and structural obstacles (Spanish La Liga regulations),” Barca said in a statement.
“As a result of this situation, Messi shall not be staying on at FC Barcelona. Both parties deeply regret that the wishes of the player and the club will ultimately not be fulfilled.
“FC Barcelona wholeheartedly expresses its gratitude to the player for his contribution to the aggrandisement of the club and wishes him all the very best for the future in his personal and professional life.”
The 34-year-old bid farewell to the club at an emotional press conference and now looks set to join PSG on a free transfer.
We’ve taken a look at how the world reacted to the huge news.
Gary Lineker
The greatest. https://t.co/38tqRD4V5E
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) August 5, 2021
Ray Hudson
"Don`t cry because it`s over….smile because it happened." #Messi pic.twitter.com/oKZE7Ekw6l
— Ray Hudson (@RayHudson) August 7, 2021
The end is never the end…just the beginning of something.
The football world sends its best wishes Leo😘
#Messi— Ray Hudson (@RayHudson) August 5, 2021
Guillem Balague
The goodbye…
Are you sure there are no more twists in this story? https://t.co/RU8ndyBjnt
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) August 5, 2021
Memphis Depay
💙💔🐐
— Memphis Depay (@Memphis) August 6, 2021
Gerard Pique
Gerard Pique with his Lionel Messi Instagram post. pic.twitter.com/cuU3P8ltc4
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) August 6, 2021
Ansu Fati
Ansu Fati says goodbye to Leo Messi. pic.twitter.com/TqSLfL5Fs8
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 6, 2021
Sergino Dest
As a kid, you dream of playing with players like Leo Messi. Although just a year, I am blessed to have been able to play with you in this club where you made so much history. It’ll be something I cherish for the rest of my life. pic.twitter.com/vL9LOgthu3
— Sergiño Dest (@sergino_dest) August 7, 2021
Luis Garcia
Thanks Leo !!
Can't say much more. All the best to you and your family in the next chapter of your career. pic.twitter.com/5GvG2z5Bxz— Luis Garcia (@luchogarcia14) August 8, 2021
Carles Puyol
Carles Puyol posts his thank you and goodbye message to Leo Messi on Instagram: pic.twitter.com/MgBBhQtdwk
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) August 5, 2021
Cesc Fabregas
Cesc Fabregas with this farwell message to Lionel Messi. pic.twitter.com/u2EauIMxmJ
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) August 7, 2021
Cristobal Soria
"The worst night of my life". Someone needs to keep an eye on Cristobal Soria to make sure he gets home okay after this. pic.twitter.com/E1i9uiLhSp
— El Chiringuito in English (@ElChiringuitoEN) August 5, 2021
https://twitter.com/ElChiringuitoEN/status/1423425543211524102
Francisco Jose Carrasco
Lobo Carrasco is literally crying on live TV (with accompanying funeral music).
And all Pedrerol can do to comfort him at the end… is troll him. pic.twitter.com/XDAutUxTZ7
— El Chiringuito in English (@ElChiringuitoEN) August 6, 2021
Alvaro Montero
🗣 "Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are the top two for sure."
Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are likely to be among the leading clubs that Lionel Messi may join after his departure from Barcelona, says Spanish football expert Alvaro Montero. pic.twitter.com/xoeQvZ4NF7
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) August 5, 2021
Newell’s Old Boys
🔥 Rosario right now: https://t.co/E56m5TghIu pic.twitter.com/3ovXrmfEld
— Newell's Old Boys (@NewellsEnglish) August 5, 2021
Neymar
📲 Neymar Jr just Liked a photo of him embracing Messi in a PSG kit. pic.twitter.com/5HaN0mKAoi
— infosfcb (@infosfcb) August 5, 2021
Karim Benzema
Karim Benzema’s Instagram story #Messi #LaLiga pic.twitter.com/HGiw36NVT3
— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley) August 5, 2021
Gary Lineker
Club statement. How on earth have they got themselves in to this predicament? Mess que un club. https://t.co/0OFFHn4ItU
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) August 5, 2021
Henry Winter
More than a player.
Sad and strange to think of the Nou Camp without Messi. https://t.co/j4Lx45VVr9
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) August 5, 2021
Manuel Veth
#Barca doesn't want to sign off on #LaLiga's CVC deal, which would destroy the club's Super League ambitions. LaLiga wants to bury the Super League once and for all and won't register Messi until Barcelona sign off on the deal. That's how the club lost the world's best player.
— Manuel Veth (@ManuelVeth) August 5, 2021
Ian Doyle
The news Lionel Messi is leaving Barcelona is probably the biggest football story since the news last year that Lionel Messi was leaving Barcelona.
— Ian Doyle (@IanDoyleSport) August 5, 2021
Andy West
This is not the end. It's just a move in the grand power play. A drastic move, for sure, but not yet the final move. https://t.co/1KRx5l6uDU
— Andy West (@andywest01) August 5, 2021
Colin Millar
This is very interesting. Real Madrid release a statement of opposition to La Liga's CVC investment plan. Which coincided with Barcelona's statement attacking La Liga's financial obstacles for them to re-sign Messi. A cynic could argue this is a co-ordinated attack on La Liga. https://t.co/31QtcJo7m4
— Colin Millar (@Millar_Colin) August 5, 2021
Mark Ogden
And Barca know that, financially and commercially, La Liga as a whole needs Messi just as much as they do. So don’t be surprised if he stays (again) after a La Liga climb down…
— Mark Ogden (@MarkOgden_) August 5, 2021
Roy Nemer
I'm trying to make jokes but seriously, Lionel Messi is out of Barcelona. That's it. His last match was played without fans. No proper good bye for the club's greatest ever player. He's willing to take a 50% cut. FIFTY. And the club can't sign him. This hasn't sunk in yet.
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) August 5, 2021
Liam Gallagher
C’mon Messi ya rasta
— Liam Gallagher (@liamgallagher) August 5, 2021
Darren Bent
“Absolutely humongous!” 🔥
“I can see #MCFC opting for Messi on a free instead of going for Harry Kane.” 😱
Darren Bent reacts to the news that Lionel Messi will be leaving Barca this summer. pic.twitter.com/E4yzpiLVfA
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) August 5, 2021
Gary Lineker
Hmmmmm 👀 pic.twitter.com/yerThm7UHG
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) August 5, 2021
Toronto
If you spam "Announce Messi" enough, you can manifest this into existence. Thems the rules. 👇 pic.twitter.com/TJwiSk2PKQ
— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) August 5, 2021
Bray Wanderers
Fab we told you to keep it quiet before we announced it 😏
— Bray Wanderers FC (@BrayWanderers) August 5, 2021
Wrexham
Following today’s announcement we can now officially reveal the identity of ‘Trialist M’
🔴⚪️ #WxmAFC https://t.co/xEz0qXxLri
— Wrexham AFC (@Wrexham_AFC) August 5, 2021
Biggleswade United
🤙 Call us, Leo pic.twitter.com/CTBcvXroyi
— Biggleswade United (@Biggleswadeutd) August 5, 2021
Adebayo Akinfenwa
Ppl thought I was joking!!!! See u soon bro. Welcome 2 the @wwfcofficial family 🤪🤪😜😜💙 pic.twitter.com/CCSaOrEC3e
— daRealAAkinfenwa (@daRealAkinfenwa) August 5, 2021
Denver Nuggets
Hey Messi… we think you'd fit right in pic.twitter.com/mmNJr4upb5
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) August 5, 2021
Pittsburgh Penguins
Wonder how Messi feels about hockey? 🤔 https://t.co/MVCyPpK6tS pic.twitter.com/tVIvcqL4mM
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) August 5, 2021
The timeline is already Messi
— Sports (@Sports) August 5, 2021
Barcelona fans
https://twitter.com/TotalLeoMessi/status/1423363952977788928
Barcelona fans outside the Camp Nou 💔 pic.twitter.com/XsGTSIoe0Q
— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 5, 2021
https://twitter.com/Lionel10Team/status/1423345375168155652
Bartomeu bankrupted Barcelona, that’s why we cannot keep Messi.
— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) August 5, 2021
https://twitter.com/CrewsMat19/status/1423342006395445251
Lionel Messi leaving Barcelona is the most heartbreaking moment in sports history. I still can’t believe it. 💔 pic.twitter.com/Vu2dsILRRV
— FC Barcelona Fans Nation (@fcbfn_live) August 5, 2021
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