That he was deeply hurt, that there was anguish and agitation, a sense of loss, and a lingering hope that he could, even now, wear the shirt he had worn 778 times. He would call it the most difficult moment of his career, stifling his emotions.
    We suffered painful defeats, but football allows you to avenge them. But there is no turning point in this, he sobbed that night. However, the wheels of fate take unusual routes. Barcelona wants to reunite two years later.
    Rumors of his return have been circulating for some time, but on Friday, Barcelona’s vice president Rafa Yuste confirmed that the club is looking into re-signing him. Not only because of the value he still brings to the club, but also because of what he represents.
    I’d like to see him return because of what he represents on a sporting, social, and economic level. Beautiful stories should have happy endings, and the two parties are in love, he said.
    Messi and Barcelona have a beautiful story. A 13-year-old pale boy with amazing feet but growth issues travels from his hometown to Camp Nou because they were the only club willing to pay for his growth hormone treatment. At a tennis club, the first contract was signed on a napkin.
    The rest of his playing career, Messi seemed to be repaying the debt, winning not just a slew of trophies and medals, but forging an identity, arguably making them one of the best teams in the game’s history.
    Others included Xavi and Iniesta, Puyol and Pique, and Guardiola and his vision. But Barcelona was Messi for nearly two decades when he was there, just as Messi was Barcelona.
    source: inside football
    The team would be remembered as Messi’s Barcelona, similar to Pele’s Brazil, though there were other stars who dazzled, allowing Pele to shine even brighter. It was difficult to imagine Barcelona without him, and even more difficult to imagine him playing for another club. It’s difficult, Messi would admit.
    It’s an enticing prospect, him pulling the play-making strings alongside Gavi and Pedri, behind Ousmane Dembu00e9lu00e9 and Memphis Depay, and protected by old pals Sergio Busquets and Frenkie de Jong. He may not have had many peak years left in him.
    But it makes no difference; both Messi and Barcelona would be delighted to be reunited. That would be the greatest football fairy-tale ever told. This is a match made in football heaven. Barcelona may not have done everything possible to keep him, but they may do everything possible to get him back.

    Share.

    Comments are closed.