The End of an Era: What's Next for Lionel Messi?

After coming through the Barcelona Academy, 17 years ago, Lionel Messi made his La Liga debut for Barcelona and today Barcelona confirmed Lionel Messi will be leaving his boyhood club after a staggering carrer… Where next for Messi? This thread look at the glorious moment of Messi at Barcelona, what went wrong and what next for Lionel Messi going forward…

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17 years ago, Lionel 𝐌essi made his LaLiga debut. Since data was collected in 2006-07:

𝐌ost goals
𝐌ost assists
𝐌ost chances created
𝐌ost shots on target
𝐌ost take-ons completed
𝐌ost goals from outside the box
𝐌ost goals from direct free-kicks

A new chapter now awaits.

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Don’t cry because it’s ending, smile because it happened.

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Lionel Messi has made more appearances, scored more goals and provided more assists than any other player in Barcelona’s history.⁣

End of an era. :exploding_head:

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17 - Lionel Messi :argentina: is the player to have appeared the most seasons for Barcelona (17 level with Xavi Hernández & Carles Rexach), surpassing Andrés Iniesta, Sadurní & Migueli (16 for each one).

IMG_20210805_193540

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Messi vs. Ronaldo.

Barcelona vs. Real Madrid.

No one will forget this era.

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True…There is one lucky club who will take pride in having him on board. :grinning:

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Lionel Messi holds the all-time record for the following in LaLiga:

◉ Most goals
◉ Most goals in a season
◉ Most direct free-kick goals
◉ Most assists
◉ Most assists in a season
◉ Most hat-tricks
◉ =Most hat-tricks scored in a season

It really was LeoLiga.

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17 - Lionel Messi :argentina: is the player to have appeared the most seasons for Barcelona (17 level with Xavi Hernández & Carles Rexach), surpassing Andrés Iniesta, Sadurní & Migueli (16 for each one). Mystery

IMG_20210805_193540

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In 2000, a 13-year-old Messi arrived in Barcelona with a head full of dreams.

21 years later, he leaves with the world at his feet.

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Lionel Messi was the first player in history to win the Ballon d’Or four times in a row:

:trophy: 2009
:trophy: 2010
:trophy: 2011
:trophy: 2012

The only player to win it six times in the awards history.

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:rotating_light: OFFICIAL STATEMENT

“Despite having reached an agreement between Barça and Leo Messi and with the clear intention of both parties to sign a new contract today, it will not be possible to formalize due to economic and structural obstacles (Spanish LaLiga regulations)

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OFFICIAL: Barcelona have released a statement on Lionel Messi not renewing his contract with the club.

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The reason behind Messi disagreement: He wanted Barcelona to sign Romero

After MARCA revealed that Lionel Messi is far from renewing his contract with Barcelona, the reason for this turn is in part due to the Argentine’s demands on signings.

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Lionel Messi’s record as a Barcelona player is almost impossible to describe, and the club’s recent history would not be anywhere near what it is had he not been there.

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17 years is a long time and I am sure it would be a tough and an emotional decision to call it quits. However, I highly doubt that Messi’s demand for signing Romero would be a deal breaker with any big weightage. If at all, I would suspect Messi and his agents using that as a tactic to leave the club knowing the chaos at Barcelona, the conflicts within the management and their treatment to Barca players like Luis Suarez. Barca management have lost the trust and loyalty of their players, I think.

So, henceforth, I wouldn’t be surprised if other players start looking for greener pastures. I don’t know how Barca as a club is planning to hold onto the loyal Messi / Barca brand global fans after Messi’s departure. I am actually a little bit concerned for Barca Club and La Liga. :grimacing:

Will fans still buy the :large_blue_circle: :red_circle: :tshirt: and take pride in wearing the jersey as before :interrobang: :thinking:
Will Barca, El Clasico and La Liga matches attract international viewership as before :interrobang: :thinking:
Is this actually the End of an Era for FC Barcelona :interrobang: :thinking:

This picture depicts every Messi / Barca Fan’s reaction upon getting this news. :pensive:

The Afghan boy who captured everybody’s attention around the world by wearing a plastic bag with Messi’s name on it. :heart_eyes:

afghan-messi-fan

Die hard Messi fans who grew up watching Messi in the Barca jersey, mesmerised by his magical skills. :star_struck:

messi-barca-fans

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This is clearly not the major reason why Leo left Barcelona

What really happened between Lionel Messi and Barça…

  • Lionel Messi was in Barcelona yesteday with his father Jorge to sign the contract until June 2026. :argentina:

  • There was no tension or problem about team, market strategies or Cristian Romero deal… total verbal agreement was reached with Messi since weeks. :handshake:

  • Barcelona also had an official statement and announcement scheduled on Thursday evening to celebrate Leo Messi signing until 2026. :large_blue_circle::red_circle:

  • After further contacts with La Liga during the day, Barcelona told Messi they’re blocked by La Liga financial rules & they’re not able/allowed to sign his contract now. :x:

  • Barcelona will have issues also with other players to be registered after La Liga rules. :warning:

  • Leo Messi appreciated Laporta’s honesty during the meeting and he was shocked after forced decision by Barça. :no_entry:

  • Paris Saint-Germain have already started direct contacts with Messi after they had many approaches turned down months ago to sign Leo… because his only priority was Barça. :fr:

( As Explained by Fabrizio Romano)

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I hope he doesn’t go to PSG! :crossed_fingers:

I see PSG as a sole money minting Club who believes if they buy star players they have a sure shot chance of dominance, generating brand associated revenue and least concerned about football as a game by itself. They just want to crush the competition with the power of money. However, they must have realised in the last 2020-21 season that high profile signings (like Neymar, Mbappe) does not guarantee the top spot (they were 2nd on the Ligue 1 table).
I could be wrong but that’s the general impression I get about PSG.

:large_blue_circle: I hope Messi goes to Man City and the reunion with coach Pep Guardiola gives us a chance to see Barca era being replayed at Man City! :heart_eyes:

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Considering that City just Spent £100M on Jack Grealish, I think it ultimately puts an end to their pursuit of Lionel Messi. I know it’s against your wish :grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes: but PSG are in the best position to land Messi this summer!

Talks have started already. As per Fabrizio Romano

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Antoine Griezmann was booed by supporters on his way into training this morning. They shouted “Messi left because of you!”

:writing_hand: Deportes Cuatro

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