Cesc Fabregas has posted an emotional tribute to his former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi after the Argentine’s departure from Camp Nou was confirmed.
The two players came through the same youth teams at La Masia and were later reunited in the first-team after Fabregas returned to the Blaugrana from Arsenal.
Fabregas clocked up over 150 appearances for the club between 2011 and 2014, before returning to English football and signing for Chelsea, but he rekindled his understanding with Messi on the pitch across those three seasons.
The two have remained close friends since their youth team days and are likely to face each other this season, with Fabregas on the books of Monaco - one of the biggest challengers to Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1.
Messi is now reported to be closing in on a move to the Parisians after it was confirmed on Thursday that he would no longer be continuing at Barca.
The midfield maestro has now paid tribute to Messi’s longevity and excellence at Barcelona in a series of heartfelt messages on social media.
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Fabregas wrote on his account: “I will always remember the day you came into the dressing room when I was 13 years old and they told us that a boy from Argentina was coming to try out.
“You sat down and did not speak the whole time. The coach told me in the 1v1 exercise to be strong against you, I saw you so small, that I thought in a second that I would take the ball away from you.
“How silly of me, you left me on the floor and from then on I saw that you were something different.
“My dream was always to play for the Barça first team, but doing it with you and Geri (Gerard Pique) always made that dream much more special.
“In the end, it became a reality and just for the mere fact of feeling football as I felt it playing in the false nine position with you and seeing the connection that was there, it was all worth it.
“You go as the best player of all time.
“It will never be the same to see Barça without you.
“Thank you for everything you have given us and everything you are, because behind that competitive animal, there is a spectacular, humble and generous person.
“I wish you the best from my heart, Anto, Thiagui, Matu and Ciro. Surely you will be happy wherever you go. I love you.”
Messi is due to hold a press conference on Sunday in which he will say his farewells to Barca and may give an indication to the next step in his career.
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