125 years of FC Barcelona: Lionel Messi shares heartfelt tribute to his former club | OneFootball

FC Barcelona boasts a rich history filled with legendary players, but one name stands above all others: Lionel Messi. Widely regarded as a pivotal figure in the club’s ascent to the pinnacle of world football, Messi’s contributions have cemented his status as an icon.

However, the manner in which the partnership between Barcelona and the Argentine superstar came to an end remains a contentious and bittersweet chapter in the club’s history.

Since his departure, many have wondered whether or not the player and this current Barcelona board would ever end up reconciling. Moreover, there has been a lot of speculation over whether the South American legend would end up being involved in the 125th anniversary of the club in any way.

Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images

Before the event itself, Messi appeared on the television program Nou Clam on the 3Cat platform, where he shared his thoughts about Barcelona.

As highlighted by SPORT, the Argentine superstar congratulated the club on reaching this historic milestone, describing Barça as “special.” He also expressed his deep love and pride for having had the opportunity to represent the club in the way he did.

“First, I want to congratulate them on these 125 years and say it’s an honor to be part of the club and a fan of Barcelona. I was fortunate that God brought me to this place, allowing me to spend my entire life at that wonderful club.”

“A club that is special, different from all others, especially in these times when it’s so hard to stand out because of how things are run in football today and how much everything has changed.”

He also confessed that he missed everything about the club and the city, while also speaking about the way the team has been playing recently and how it fills him up with pride:

“To see the first team now representing the values we love and believe in is a huge source of pride. I miss the club, the city, the people, the love… As always, I hope we continue to do well and make this club even greater.”

While his official contract with Barça may have ended up expiring in 2021, his bond and connection to the Catalan entity remains eternal. For many fans of the club, both young and old, Messi alone was the defining pillar of La Blaugrana, and replacing his impact has arguably been one of the biggest challenges that the club has ever had to deal with.