Lionel Messi’s departure from FC Barcelona in August 2021 was one of the most significant events in the history of the football club. Messi, who had spent his entire professional career with Barcelona, had become synonymous with the club and had become the face of Barcelona over the years.
The reasons behind Messi’s departure from Barcelona are complex and multifaceted. There were several contributing factors that led to the separation of Messi and Barcelona, and it is essential to examine them in detail to understand the situation fully.
One of the primary reasons behind Messi’s departure was financial. Barcelona, like many other football clubs, was struggling with its finances, primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a loss of revenue. Barcelona’s wage bill was enormous, and the club was unable to meet the high salary demands of Messi, who was one of the highest-paid footballers in the world. The club’s debt had reached over €1.2 billion, and they could not afford to keep Messi in the squad.
Messi’s decision to leave Barcelona was also influenced by the club’s poor performance on the field in recent seasons. Despite winning the Spanish Copa del Rey in 2021, Barcelona had failed to win the La Liga or the Champions League in recent years. Messi, who had won these trophies multiple times in his career, was frustrated with the club’s inability to compete at the highest level.
Moreover, Messi had a strained relationship with the club’s then-president, Josep Maria Bartomeu, which was another contributing factor to his departure. Bartomeu had promised Messi that he could leave the club at the end of the 2019-20 season if he desired, but he broke his promise and refused to let Messi go. This created a significant trust issue between Messi and the club’s management, which ultimately led to his decision to leave.
Another factor that led to Messi’s departure was the club’s inability to build a competitive team around him. Barcelona had failed to replace key players such as Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, and Neymar, who had left the club in recent years. As a result, Messi had to shoulder the bulk of the team’s creative and attacking responsibilities, which took a toll on his performance and eventually led to his frustration with the club.
Finally, Messi’s departure from Barcelona was also influenced by the desire to experience a new challenge in his career. Messi had spent his entire career at Barcelona and had achieved almost everything possible with the club. He had won numerous titles, broken countless records, and established himself as one of the greatest footballers of all time. However, he felt that it was time for a new challenge, and leaving Barcelona was the best way to achieve that.
Final Conclusion on Why Did Messi Leave Barcelona
In conclusion, Lionel Messi’s departure from Barcelona was a complex and multifaceted issue that was influenced by several factors. Financial issues, poor on-field performance, a strained relationship with the club’s management, an inability to build a competitive team around him, and a desire for a new challenge were all contributing factors that led to Messi’s decision to leave. Despite the heartbreak of Barcelona fans, Messi’s departure marked the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter in his storied career.
