Lionel Messi has left the one and only club, Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), bringing an end to a 20-year partnership between the two clubs.
According to the club’s website, “the Argentina star holds all of the major records in FC Barcelona history,” and some of his records, such as his 91 goals in 2012, are global records. Of all, with Messi, it’s not just about the number, but also about a thrilling quality that may be unrivaled in football history. We recall some of the magical moments from his Barcelona reign by looking at the crucial numbers.
It’s all over for Messi and Barcelona after 21 years, 17 seasons with the club, 778 appearances, 672 goals, 10 league crowns, six Ballons d’Or, and four Champions League trophies. Last year, Messi stated his wish to leave the club, but the club refused. His contract has now expired, and the club is unable to enroll him. “We were convinced we were going to stay here, at home,” the 34-year-old explained.
Messi returned to Barcelona after his post-Copa America triumphal vacation in Ibiza to sign a contract and commit to the club, not to quit. “I believed it was all sorted, but it couldn’t happen at the last minute due to league [finance controls],” Messi remarked. “Everything had been agreed upon, but it was not to be. I went to eat with the new president after the elections and we talked. After that, I was certain that I would go on, that there would be no problems. My contract was never an issue for me. What occurred after that happened. I never had any doubts: we had made up our minds, and we were going to [stay].”
“We couldn’t do it, according to Laporta, due to league [rules]. I can assure you that I did everything in my power to stay because I wanted to.”
“We were all confident it was going to happen,” he added. “We had everything figured out, there was no issue, and we were always forthright with people. It wasn’t for the reasons we stated, but from my perspective, I never mislead anyone. I’m not sure what the entire mechanics of [the league’s wage restriction requirements] are; all I know is that it wasn’t to be because of the league, the club’s debt, and the club’s desire to avoid further debt.”
Messi’s sole chance of staying was in a fantastical scenario. A miraculous turn of events, a last-minute rescue — something Messi had done several times for Barcelona. But it wasn’t entirely under his control. It wasn’t a circumstance that emerged as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic when clubs were experiencing financial difficulties. Naturally, things have gotten more difficult in the absence of fans, but the origins of this tale can be traced back to former president Josep Maria Bartomeu and his board of directors.
