Lionel Messi was barely 13 years old when he sobbed across the Atlantic on a 12-hour flight from Argentina to Spain. After more than 20 years at FC Barcelona, Messi is on the move again.
Lionel Messi was barely 13 years old when he sobbed across the Atlantic on a 12-hour flight from Argentina to Spain. It was the trip that would change his life forever. The teenage prodigy was heading to FC Barcelona, the team he never thought he would leave.Widely regarded as the greatest player on the planet, Messi flew to Paris on Tuesday to complete the most stunning and momentous transfer in recent memory by joining Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent.
Fans had already been gathering at Paris’s Le Bourget private airport and the Parc des Princes stadium in case he showed up since Monday. “I gave everything for this club, for this shirt from the first day I arrived until the very last, and the truth is that I’m leaving,” Messi said of Barcelona during a tearful news conference on Sunday. “I’d love to be able to go in a different way. I never imagined having to say goodbye because I’d never thought of it.”
Where Messi might end up had been soccer’s burning question ever since Barcelona announced on Friday that they had failed to agree on a new contract that complied with the Spanish league’s rules on spending. All of a sudden, after 778 appearances and 672 goals, Barca’s Messi era had come to a close. The 34-year-old who still calls Barcelona his home was open to offers.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
French media reports Lionel Messi reaches agreement to join Paris Saint-GermainJUST IN: Football superstar Lionel Messi has reached an agreement to sign for French club Paris Saint-Germain, bringing his long-term association with Barcelona to an end, French media reports.
Read more »
Lionel Messi signs two-year deal with French PSGArgentinian football legend says he is excited to begin a new chapter of his career at Paris Saint-Germain and that everything about the club 'matches my football ambitions.'
Read more »
Lionel Messi says PSG move is a 'possibility' as he bids tearful farewell to Barcelona'I gave my all for this club for this shirt, from the first day I arrived to the last. ... I am more than satisfied.' As he bid a tearful farewell to Barcelona, football superstar Lionel Messi said a move to Paris Saint-Germain was 'a possibility.'
Read more »
Messi heads to Paris and, in Rosario, a dream dies for nowLionel Messi is joining Paris St Germain and in one corner of Argentina, the dream has died, at least for now.
Read more »
Lionel Messi’s PSG Move to Boost Sales of MerchandiseThe Argentine soccer legend’s shock transfer from Barcelona to Paris is expected to fuel sales of soccer merchandise and his own clothing label.
Read more »