Four Years On: Reflecting on Messi’s Departure from FC Barcelona
Four years have passed since FC Barcelona announced the departure of Lionel Messi, a decision that continues to resonate with fans despite the team securing two la Liga titles in his absence. On August 5, 2021, the club cited “economic and structural obstacles” as the reason for ending a relationship spanning over two decades with arguably the greatest player in football history.
The declaration, made around 7 PM local time after days of intense speculation, confirmed that Messi would leave as a free agent upon the expiration of his contract. Barcelona attributed the inability to retain him to insurmountable financial and organizational challenges.
During his 778 appearances for barça, Messi amassed an remarkable record: 672 goals and 265 assists. He remains the club’s all-time leading scorer and boasts an extraordinary trophy cabinet including ten La Liga titles, four Champions League crowns, seven Copa del Rey victories, eight Spanish Super Cups, three European Super Cups, three Club World Cups, four Catalan Cups, and two Catalan Super Cups.
His farewell was a deeply emotional occasion, marked by tears from Messi, his wife, and children. His poignant statement, “I did my best to stay, it is what I wanted and could not be,” continues to fuel speculation about what might have been. Fans also lament the abrupt nature of his exit, denying them a proper opportunity to bid farewell to the club icon.
Following his departure, Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain, forming a formidable attacking trio with Neymar and Kylian Mbappé. In 2023, he moved to Inter Miami in the MLS, where he has quickly become a standout player, already securing a Leagues Cup title and demonstrating a level of performance significantly above the competition.
Concurrently, Messi achieved long-awaited success with the Argentinian national team, culminating in a World Cup victory in December 2022 – a triumph that had eluded Argentina as the 1980s. Messi captained the team to victory in Doha, marking a defining moment in his illustrious career.
recent developments also saw Barcelona resolve a financial matter with Messi. The club completed the payment of €5.95 million on June 30th of this year, settling deferred salary payments from his final contract. This deferral was agreed upon during the pandemic due to the club’s financial difficulties.This summer also marked a symbolic shift at Barcelona with the assignment of the number 10 shirt to young prospect Lamine Yamal. Previously held by Messi and, more recently, Ansu Fati, the number now rests on the shoulders of a player generating significant excitement. Yamal’s talent and performance at just 17 years old have positioned him as a potential future Ballon d’Or winner – an award Messi himself has claimed six times. During preseason, Yamal has continued to showcase his potential, suggesting he could become a defining player for Barcelona, mirroring Messi’s impact on the club.
