"Congratulations!" Lionel Messi (38, Inter Miami) left a short but heartfelt message regarding the league title news of his former team FC Barcelona.
Goal.com reported on the 16th (Korean time) that "Argentinian legend Lionel Messi congratulated Barcelona on their La Liga victory."
Messi left a short message saying, "Congratulations!" on his social media account on the 16th, commemorating Barcelona's 28th league title.
Barcelona secured their 28th La Liga title on the 16th with a 2-0 victory against RCD Espanyol in the La Liga match known as the "Catalonia Derby."
Under the leadership of coach Hansi Flick, Barcelona has shown its best performance since Lionel Messi left the team in 2021. This season, they have scored 97 goals in the league alone, celebrating their victory over traditional rival Espanyol.
He made his professional debut in a game against RCD Espanyol on Oct. 16, 2004, wearing the FC Barcelona uniform and scored his first professional goal with an assist from Ronaldinho in a home game against Albacete Balompié in January 2005.
Messi, who steadily grew after that, scored 672 goals only at Barcelona and lifted a total of 35 trophies during this period, including 4 UEFA Champions League titles (2005-2006, 2008-2009, 2010-2011, 2014-2015) and 10 La Liga titles (2004-2005, 2005-2006, 2008-2009, 2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2012-2013, 2014-2015, 2015-2016, 2017-2018, 2018-2019).
The partnership between Messi and Barcelona, which seemed eternal, lasted until the 2020-2021 season. Messi engaged in active contract negotiations with Barcelona in the summer of 2021 and accepted a 50% salary cut; however, due to unresolved financial issues of the club, he ultimately bid farewell to the club in tears.
Afterward, Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and is pursuing new challenges in Major League Soccer (MLS) with Inter Miami.
Now, four years after parting ways with Barcelona, Messi personally congratulated them on their title for the first time. Goal.com reported that "it was a short message, but Messi's heartfelt social media message attracted significant attention among fans."
Goal.com noted that "Messi was once again embroiled in rumors of returning to Barcelona after his contract with PSG expired in 2023, but ultimately chose Inter Miami in MLS. Although Inter Miami has struggled this season, Messi remains cautious regarding questions about the possibility of returning to Barcelona."
It added, "While Messi's congratulatory message does not imply an immediate return, it is seen as a sign that his affection for Barcelona remains."
[OSEN]