Former Barcelona forward sheds light on Lionel Messi exit – ‘He didn’t deserve that’ | OneFootball

Despite his brief spell at the club, Martin Braithwaite was no less than a cult hero at Barcelona.

The Danish striker played for the Catalans for two years between 2020 and 2022, during which he scored ten goals for the club.

In a recent interview (h/t GE), Braithwaite has opened up about his time at Barcelona while also shedding light on Lionel Messi’s painful exit from the club.

Braithwaite on Messi’s exit

Braithwaite had only spent a year at Barcelona when Lionel Messi left the club, in a move that shocked the footballing world.

Talking about the Argentine’s exit in 2021, Braithwaite said, “It was strange because it happened suddenly, we were all expecting him to renew, everything was ready for the contract renewal, and suddenly he left the club.”

Despite sharing the dressing room with the player for just one season, Braithwaite has immense respect for Messi.

“Leo is a very lovable person and helps us, and you feel comfortable with him. He was very calm. As for Leo as a player, I think I don’t need to say anything,” he said.

The Dane is hopeful that Messi will get the opportunity to play at Camp Nou for one last time, adding, “He didn’t deserve that. I hope he can play his last match there because he truly deserves it.”

Braithwaite has shared the dressing room with some of the best in the game. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

Braithwaite on his time at Barcelona

Braithwaite, for his part, fondly remembers his spell at Barcelona, admitting that it was a dream come true.

“It was something special. I think every boy dreams of playing for a club like Barcelona,” he said.

“When I was 18 years old, after breaking my leg and when I started playing, I told the media: ‘I will play for these clubs,” and people were laughing at me. But I didn’t laugh because I had a goal,” he added.

Braithwaite eventually left Barcelona in 2022, when he joined Espanyol on a free transfer. However, he will always remember his spell at Camp Nou.

“It wasn’t just a dream. A dream is something that happens when you’re asleep. It was a goal. I was working for it, and I got there. And that was very special. I learned a lot of things. Playing with the best players in the world was an amazing thing for me,” he concluded.

Currently 34, Braithwaite plies his trade for Brazilian outfit Gremio, a club he joined in 2024. He is already a key goalscorer at Gremio, having racked up 23 goals in 54 competitive appearances for the club.

Interestingly, Messi could soon be involved in Barcelona affairs, with recent reports indicating that he could be a part of Barça’s presidential elections in some capacity.