Deco, FC Barcelona’s sporting director, has disclosed that the club plans to hold a “farewell game” for Lionel Messi. Barcelona’s former #10, Messi is unquestionably the best footballer to ever play for Barcelona. He became the club’s all-time top goalscorer (672 in all competitions) as well as all-time top appearance maker (778 in all competitions) over his 17-year first-team career. Although, Leo now plays his football in USA, Barcelona’s Sporting director wants to organize a farewell game for the Argentine.
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FC Barcelona’s Lionel Messi farewell game in the works
Due to financial constraints, the club was obliged to let Lionel Messi leave in 2021. Messi then went on to spend two seasons with Paris Saint-Germain following his departure. After his two-year contract with the Ligue 1 club expired, Barcelona attempted to re-sign Messi but were unable to do so owing to budgetary limitations.
As a result, Lionel Messi ended up joining Inter Miami. He just finished his first season in Major League Soccer, scoring 11 goals in all competitions. Due to the club’s lack of play-off qualifying, reports have surfaced about a possible loan move back to Europe over the off-season. Barcelona being the obvious choice. The renowned attacker has since denied these claims.
In an interview with Lance, Barcelona’s sporting director Deco said that supporters can expect to see Lionel Messi back in the club’s colours soon – just not in a competitive capacity. He said, ‘I think there will be a farewell game, but maybe in the new stadium when it’s ready. He will always be the greatest idol in the club’s history. The club had great idols, like Cruyff, and Ronaldo, but he is perhaps the greatest of all.’
Deco continued, ‘He will definitely play a farewell match at Barcelona, but when it will be, we don’t know. He is playing, and hopefully, he will play for more years, because people who love football, those who do, will be happy to see him happy.’
Barcelona expects to play at Camp Nou again in November 2024, with work on a refurbishment of the renowned stadium having recently begun.
Leo close to winning 8th Ballon d’Or
Lionel Messi is on track to become the first player in history to win a record-breaking eighth Ballon d’Or. According to the Spanish sports publication SPORT, the Argentine icon will be crowned the world’s finest player once more at the gala in France.
Messi’s accomplishments over the last year have made him the odds-on favourite for the award. After orchestrating Paris Saint-Germain’s Ligue 1 victory, he led Inter Miami to its first-ever trophy success with the Leagues Cup. Most notably, he captained Argentina to their first World Cup victory in over four decades.
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With a staggering record-seven titles, the Argentine maestro currently dominates the award’s leaderboard, but an eighth would catapult him to a new level of legend. If the rumors hold true, Lionel Messi will be the only player in history to win eight Ballon d’Or awards.
Editors pick
