Pedri Admits Shock Over Lionel Messi’s Barcelona Exit

Barcelona’s talented midfielder Pedri has revealed that he was completely taken aback when he heard the news that Lionel Messi was leaving Barcelona — a moment that marked one of the most emotional chapters in modern football.

Messi, often regarded as the greatest player in football history, emerged from Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, dazzling the football world with his exceptional skill and consistency. Known affectionately as La Pulga (The Flea), Messi rose from a promising academy graduate to become the undisputed legend of Barcelona, dominating not only Spanish football but the global stage.

After a historic career at the Camp Nou, Messi’s departure in 2021 came as a huge shock to fans, players, and the football community. The Argentine superstar left as a free agent, following the club’s financial crisis, which prevented Barcelona from renewing his contract under La Liga’s salary regulations.

Pedri, who had transferred from UD Las Palmas to Barcelona in the summer of 2019, was fortunate enough to share the pitch with Messi for two unforgettable seasons. During their time together, the young Spaniard made 47 appearances alongside the legendary forward, learning from his genius on the field.

Speaking to France Football, as reported by Mundo Deportivo, Pedri reflected on their connection during matches:

“I always passed the ball to Messi. Clearly, he was better than me. He made everything look so simple. I always looked for him on the pitch because I knew something magical would happen when he had the ball.”

Pedri went on to admit that the news of Messi’s exit hit him hard:

“It was a shock when Leo Messi left. I was playing in the Olympics at the time, and I found it hard to believe. For a while, it didn’t even seem real.”

Following his departure, Messi signed with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), where he went on to win the French Ligue 1 title twice in two seasons. In 2023, Messi made yet another high-profile move — joining Inter Miami in the United States Major League Soccer (MLS) as a free agent, continuing his global football journey.

Messi’s legacy at Barcelona remains unparalleled, and for players like Pedri, sharing the pitch with such an icon remains a career-defining experience.