Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets has paid a farewell visit to Lionel Messi at his home. When the Blaugrana club announced it would be unable to confirm a new five-year contract with the Argentine, his return to the club was thrown into disarray overnight.
A number of first-team players traveled to Messi’s home in the Castelldefels neighborhood of Barcelona to bid him farewell after training at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, according to Marca.
Photographers captured Busquets’ face at Messi’s home, and the Spanish international later posted an emotional Twitter message to the former La Blaugrana captain. “I can only thank you for what you have done for the club and specifically for me”, he said.
🗣️ @5sergiob 💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/nLKKSZcLOm
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) August 6, 2021
“You came as a child and you are the best player in history, having made this club grow to the height it deserves and making history individually and collectively. I can always say I played and shared many moments with you, most of them very good and I was lucky to grow and enjoy it by your side 13 seasons.”
Barcelona’s teenage sensation Ansu Fati also paid tribute to Messi, crediting him with playing a key role in his rise from La Masia prospect to the first-team star in the last 18 months. “All the boys of La Masia dream of being able to play with you and I feel fortunate to have fulfilled that dream”, he said.
💙❤
De @ANSUFATI para Leo #Messi: pic.twitter.com/LN5Bur5ti3
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) August 6, 2021
“I want to thank you these two years and for your gestures of affection towards me and for everything I learned. My family and I will always have a love for you and I wish you and your family all the best,” Fati added.
Philippe Coutinho and Xavi Hernandez, both club superstars, have also posted personal farewell messages.
🗣 Xavi Hernández
De capitán a capitán 💙❤ pic.twitter.com/8DwWzeFTom
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) August 6, 2021
🔵🔴 @Phil_Coutinho 👏 pic.twitter.com/0YgGphclko
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) August 6, 2021
