Argentine football icon, Lionel Messi has reflected on his enduring bond with Barcelona, while also sharing his surprise over the recent retirements of his close friends and former teammates, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
In an interview with Sport, the Inter Miami captain said the affection he continues to receive from Barcelona fans still touches him deeply.
“It’s wonderful. Whenever I receive messages from Barcelona, from those years, it always makes me feel nostalgic and quite moved,” Lionel Messi said.
The Argentine icon, who spent over two decades at the Catalan club, admitted that he has grown more sentimental about those years as time has passed.
“Honestly, I miss those days immensely. Perhaps I appreciate that happiness more now than I did then. Back then, with matches coming thick and fast, I was always focused on the next game and never had time to truly savour what I was experiencing. Now, looking back from a distance with a calmer mindset, after several years have passed, it all feels even more precious,” he explained.
Messi revealed that he occasionally watches old highlights of his time in Spain, saying they bring back powerful memories.
“Of course, I enjoy watching those clips,” he said. “They represent meaningful, significant moments. The footage captures pivotal instants worth remembering and treasuring.”
The World Cup winner also spoke about how difficult it was to leave Barcelona in 2021, especially under the unusual circumstances of the pandemic.
“I believe I’ve shared this with you before. Leaving Barcelona left me with complex feelings, as it all happened so abruptly. My final days at Barça were during the pandemic, without spectators. I’d played my entire career there, yet couldn’t bid farewell as I’d envisioned,” Messi said.
“I always assumed I’d conclude my professional journey in Barcelona and Europe before coming here (to the US), that was my original plan and wish. The departure was somewhat peculiar, but I know the fans’ affection will endure forever.”
When asked about Busquets and Alba’s retirements, Messi admitted that while Busquets had been contemplating the decision for some time, Alba’s announcement came as a complete shock.
“Honestly, it is quite strange, especially in Jordi Alba’s case, because we hadn’t seen it coming at all. We’d discussed Busquets’ situation before, and he’d been analysing and talking about it, but Alba’s retirement was a bolt from the blue, we hadn’t anticipated it in the slightest,” Messi said.
“One day he suddenly told us in the dressing room he was going to announce his retirement, and none of us had mentioned it to him beforehand. It was completely unexpected for us, and even more shocking. Yes, it’s a shame, because beyond his outstanding performances on the pitch, we were also friends. We embarked on this journey to Miami together from the very beginning.”
He went on to reflect on the bond they share, both personally and professionally.
“You could see the time was running out, that moment was drawing nearer,” he said. “And because we’re from the same generation, having shared our entire careers together, it’s been truly wonderful to have spent these past few years together.”
