Soccer
Lionel Messi: time to say adios after 17 years with Barça
The soccer superstar contributed so much to Barcelona that it will be difficult to see him in any other uniform. Unfortunately, his time has come to an end.
In Messi's time in Barcelona, he contributed so much that he has become like a symbol of the city. When you think Barcelona, you think Messi.
Hailed as the greatest soccer player in the world, it will be difficult to see him leave FC Barça simply because of what he's done for the team. But Messi himself even said that he wanted to end his career with Barcelona, and not in this way.
It's not ideal for the club or for Messi. But after an hour and a half press conference on Thursday, Barcelona president Joan Laporta said that the negotiations to keep Messi have ended and he doesn't want to generate "false hope" that the situation could be reversed.
In the press conference, Laporta says, "Leo wanted to stay, so he's not happy. We all wanted him to stay, but now, like us, he is facing the reality of what's happened. A reality that can't be changed."
What exactly did Leo Messi contribute to Barcelona?
So for now, we can at least appreciate what Messi's done in his tenure with the club.
Most Barça games: 778
Most Barça goals: 672
Most LaLiga wins: 383
Most goals in a LaLiga season (2011-12): 50
Most LaLiga hat-tricks: 36
Most goals in Clásicos: 26
Most Ballón D'or crowns: 6