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

TOPSHOT – Fans crowd outside the Camp Nou stadium where Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi held a press conference in Barcelona on August 8, 2021. Messi fought back tears as he began a press conference at which he confirmed he is leaving Barcelona, where he has played his entire career. (Photo : PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images)

As news of Lionel Messi’s stunning exit from FC Barcelona continues to rumble on, former teammates have come out and heaped praise on the Argentine superstar who will go down as one of, if not the greatest player in the Catalan giants’ history.

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 side for such a long time.” Iniesta said Messi was No. 1 and that he hasn’t seen anyone else do what Messi has done year after year with Barcelona and how he bettered himself and influenced the team.

Pique admits Barcelona is broken with Messi’s departure

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique said that the club is a bit broken because of Messi’s shocking departure. He said, “We’ve lost the best player of all time. It has hurt us and it hurt him too.” Pique, who has been named one of Barca’s four new captains in light of Messi’s exit, said that they are not the same side in terms of talent and magic with the six-time Ballon d’Or winner now gone.

New Barcelona captain Sergio Busquets also paid tribute to Messi, giving thanks to the soccer icon for taking the club to the top of European football and making history in the process. Busquets said, “Being the best in the world and beating all individual and collective records. We wish you the best. Eternal thanks, Leo.”

Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman also showered Messi with praise, saying, “you will always miss someone who is the best in the world.” Koeman, however, insists that Barcelona has to accept this reality and that it is time for the club’s younger stars to take advantage of the new opportunities in the future.

Related 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 player Gary Lineker also praised Messi’s legacy while watching his emotional address on Sunday, saying, “No player in the history of the sport has given so much joy, so many unforgettable moments, so much success to one club.”

That is truly the case for Messi, who led Barcelona to four Champions League titles and 10 Spanish La Liga crowns in his career. During his 21-year stay with the club, he provided inspiration, scoring a record 672 goals in his 17 seasons at the Spanish top flight.

Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who was at the news conference on Sunday, posted on social media platform Twitter that he enjoyed watching all of Messi’s games with his brother on TV in their room when he was a child. De Jong later added that “It has been a dream to play alongside the best player in history.”