Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman has attempted to lift fans' spirits, stating, "we are convinced that we will give you joy," ahead of Lionel Messi’s imminent move to Paris Saint-Germain.
The legendary Argentine forward has spent his entire professional career at the Catalan club but will not sign a new contract and is expected to sign a three-year deal with PSG, reuniting with ex-Barcelona teammate Neymar.
Barca confirmed the shocking news that Messi would not be renewing his contract on Thursday in a statement on Twitter that took the entire footballing world by surprise.
The 34-year-old had been out of contract since 1 July, but Messi expected that Barcelona would have slimmed down their playing staff once he had returned from Copa America duty, allowing the forward to sign a new deal.
Messi held a press conference on Sunday, where he attempted to hold back tears after leaving the club he has called home since he was 13 years old.
Barcelona kicked off their 2021-22 season yesterday, with a 3-0 pre-season victory against Juventus for the Joan Gamper trophy. It was played at the 6,000 capacity Johan Cruyff stadium, primarily used for its famed La Masia academy.
Fans at the Johan Cruyff stadium jeered Samuel Umtiti, Miralem Pjanic and Gerard Pique but chanted the name of Messi, who has brought the Blaugrana so many moments of joy and triumph in his 17-year stint as a first-team player.
In an attempt to soften the hefty blow, Koeman reiterated: "It has been a very tough year, a whole year of playing without an audience. Despite the farewell to Leo Messi, we are very excited about this new squad,
"With the signings and with the young people, who are the future of this great club. We are convinced that we will give you joy.
"With help and sacrifice and work, we will achieve the maximum. We know what this club represents. Visit Barca and visit Catalonia."
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The club are still unable to register any of their four summer signings, who joined the club on free transfers, as they are still operating above their wage restriction.
Memphis Depay scored in Barcelona’s comfortable victory over Juventus yesterday. However, Eric Garcia and Sergio Aguero are still yet to make their debuts, with the latter suffering a calf injury that will sideline him for the season's opening weeks.
Numerous tributes have been paid to Messi by Barcelona players past and present, starting with Sergio Busquets, who will take over from the Argentine as Barcelona captain:
"I want to have a special memory for Leo. Thank you, Leo, for taking Barca to the top, to make history, for all your individual and collective records. We wish you the best. We will miss you."
Ex-teammate Barcelona teammate Cesc Fabregas took to Instagram to reflect on witnessing Messi’s brilliance from their time in La Masia:
"I will always remember the day you came to the dressing room when I was 13 years old, and they told us that a boy from Argentina was coming to try.
"You sat down and didn’t 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 I would take it away from you.
"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 Barca first team, but doing it with you and Geri (Gerald Pique) always made that dream much more special.
After 778 appearances and 672 goals, Barcelona will have to find a new talisman to replace Messi, who departs as the club’s greatest player.
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