Barcelona’s saddest anniversary: One year on from Messi’s departure, Barca fans chanting his name outside Camp Nou during Lewandowski’s presentation.
The Blaugrana are still upset over his departure and are hoping he will come back in 2023.
Fans of Barcelona will commemorate a tragic anniversary on Friday, August 5. Lionel Messi will, against all chances, quit the Camp Nou due to the club’s financial issues, MARCA disclosed exactly one year ago.
Fans of the Catalan club still lament his departure a year later, but they do not rule out a potential comeback to bid the club legend a more appropriate farewell.
On August 5, 2021, MARCA broke the exclusive story that Messi would not renew his contract with the team where he spent his formative years.
After several weeks of negotiations, the club finally notified their finest player that they were unable to extend his contract.
At a goodbye press conference three days later, Messi acknowledged that he was surprised.
“It is the most difficult moment of my sporting career,” Messi stated.
“When they told me, I was frozen. A chilly shower was given. I’ve experienced challenging times, but this…
“I’m upset; that wasn’t what I expected. I’m depressed. It’s something that I’m still processing.
“I don’t know about Barcelona, but I tried my best to keep going. My pay was cut in half. I wished to remain.
“Last year, I was set on what I wanted to do, but not this year. And I didn’t get any additional requests. It was not possible. Everything was planned, but due to a problem with LaLiga, nothing was done. The club is already heavily in debt and doesn’t want to take on any more debt.”
Barcelona was unable to continue due to stringent economic constraints.
LaLiga would not permit it because the math didn’t work. Barcelona’s star player, who spent his whole professional career with the club and won 35 titles there, had to say farewell. Their darkest fears came to pass.
Today, Messi has joined Paris Saint-Germain, and both Barcelona and Messi have undergone significant transformation. Although it doesn’t seem possible, it’s possible that their paths will intersect once more.
Although Messi’s board and Joan Laporta don’t get along very well, the fans are happy at the president’s recent remarks.
Laporta stated of Messi’s potential comeback, “I would like it to happen. It is an objective I have as president.”
“I have contributed to that aim in some measure, but I view it as temporary.
“We all wanted Messi’s time at Barcelona to finish the way he did, but economic considerations ultimately dictated his fate, and as a result, we owe him a moral responsibility. In that regard, we would prefer that Barcelona be where his professional career ends.”
Messi is under contract with PSG through June 2023, with an additional season option. Last season, he made 33 appearances and 11 goals for the French team.
