Viral image shows Lionel Messi still has FC Barcelona in his heart | OneFootball

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Lionel Messi is the greatest ever player to feature for FC Barcelona in their history and there is no debate about this. A case can be made that he is the greatest ever player to ever play this beautiful game but that is a discussion for a different day.

It might have been three seasons since Messi left Barcelona but he hasn’t left the hearts of the fans around the world. As if anyone had to question it, clearly, the club hasn’t left the heart of the Argentinian magician either.

In an image that is taking social media by storm as highlighted by Mundo Deportivo, the bottle that Lionel Messi carries around in training has the emblem of Barcelona and Argentina printed on it, despite him playing for Inter Miami at the moment.

No one can dare to question the 37-year-old’s love for Barcelona. He has been one of the club’s most loyal fans, despite the unceremonious way in which his exit was handled. It’s safe to say that the club legend was pushed out of the back door.

Barcelona are yet to give the living legend a deserved farewell although President Joan Laporta hinted at two possible dates on which that could happen. It is only fair that the club give him a rousing sending-off in the new Camp Nou.

Messi has been injured since the final of the Copa America 2024. He is yet to return to competitive action with Inter Miami. With age, his body seems to be slowing down and yet, he continues to be one of his country and club’s most decisive players.

The beauty of Lionel Messi is his ability to adapt his game with time. He isn’t the same, young, electric winger who broke through at Barcelona and has changed his game into more of a playmaking role, using his incredible vision to make it happen.

Barcelona meanwhile have another superstar in the making – Lamine Yamal. The 17-year-old was compared to the great man recently by Athletic Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde. It remains to be seen if the Spanish youngster can carve himself a career like Messi has and only time will tell us how it progresses.