“As a Person You Are a 10” – Lionel Messi’s Heartfelt Message to Ex-Teammate’s Saddening Update Highlights Strained Relationship With Gerard Pique

Sergio Busquets is making rounds after his announcement to leave FC Barcelona after this season. Everyone is sending messages to pay tribute to the Barcelona superstar for his achievements with the Catalan club. However, the heartfelt message that caught the eyes of soccer fans was the one from Lionel Messi. But the reason is the connection with Gerard Pique.

Busquets joined Barcelona’s youth team in 2005 and has played for the club since then. He made his debut for the first team in 2008. Since his debut, Busquets has become the backbone of the Barcelona midfield. After spending over 14 years with the club, he has decided to leave the club at the end of the season after his contract ends.

Lionel Messi has a special message for Sergio Busquets

Lionel Messi and Busquets have spent over a decade together at the Blaugrana. The Busquets announcement comes amidst the reports of Messi returning to Barcelona. Their friendship on and off the field is well known. And Messi’s heartfelt message to the 34-year-old highlights the same. 

Messi took to Instagram to share the heartfelt message. He wrote, “On the court always with 5, but in reality as a player and as a person you are 10, Busi. I wish you the best in your new stage and always, both you and your family. Thank you for on and off the court, there were so many moments we spent together, many good and some also complicated. They will stay forever.”

Currently, Busquets and Jordi Alba were only the old guards on the Barcelona roster after the retirement of Gerard Pique last year. Now with Busquets leaving, Messi might find only Alba on his side if he returns to Blaugrana. Despite Messi leaving Barcelona, he used to visit Spain occasionally to meet his old friends. Messi, Busquets, and Alba were photographed many times having dinner together. 

Meanwhile, the message from Messi has raised the eyebrows of many. The Argentine didn’t share any social media posts after Gerard Pique announced his retirement last year. 

Reports over Messi and Pique’s strained relationship

Messi had to leave FC Barcelona in 2021 as the club was not financially sound to extend his contract. There were speculations that the friendship between the Argentine and Pique hit a low after Messi left. The reports suggested Messi wasn’t happy with Pique playing down the importance of Messi’s exit from the club in private conversations with the Barcelona president.

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Messi was seen with his old mates Busquets and Alba on a few occasions, with Pique a notable absentee. In 2021, Messi snubbed naming Pique among the players he is still in contact with. All these incidents fueled the rumors of the broken relationship between the two former Barcelona superstars. And a recent tribute to Busquets highlights the same.

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Let us know your thoughts on where Sergio Busquets will end up playing next season.