Lionel Messi’s Heartwarming Tribute to Neymar After PSG Exit

Lionel Messi Pays Tribute to Neymar

Lionel Messi has bid farewell to his teammate and Brazilian football star Neymar with an emotional message on his Instagram account. The former Barcelona icon turned out for Paris Saint-Germain for two seasons, helping them claim consecutive Ligue 1 titles, but failed to win the Champions League.

The Final Match

Messi played his last match for PSG on Saturday night, and unfortunately, the Argentine was booed by some fans at the Parc des Princes in PSG‘s shock 3-2 defeat to Clermont, ending his two-year stint in Paris. Though Messi, 35, has been linked with a return to Barcelona, or a lucrative move to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, he did not discuss his much-awaited next move in his message.

Messi’s Tribute

Messi and Neymar were teammates in Barcelona, and later, at PSG. The duo won titles together in both clubs, establishing a close friendship off the pitch. In response to a glowing tribute from Neymar on Instagram, Messi wrote, “Thanks Ney! Beyond everything else, we were able to enjoy playing together and sharing our days. I wish you all the best. Apart from being a crack, you’re a beautiful person, and that’s what is important in the end. I love you so much, Neymar.”

Future Plans

Though PSG had confirmed Messi’s departure ahead of the final match, he was cheered by PSG supporters at a pitch ceremony alongside his children. The football world is waiting for his next move, with Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal offering him an impressive 345 million pounds per season. Despite the rumours, there has been no confirmation from Messi’s team about his future.

Editorial

Football fans and critics alike were disappointed with Paris Saint-Germain’s failure to win the Champions League, despite having some of the world’s best footballers on their team. Messi’s stint at Paris Saint-Germain, along with Neymar and Mbappe, was expected to change that. Still, unfortunately, it did not pan out as planned. Instead, PSG suffered a significant defeat to Clermont, marking Messi’s departure on a sombre note.

The Importance of Friendship in Football

Messi and Neymar‘s friendship has charmed the football world for its depth and sincerity. Their relationship exemplifies the power of sport in creating lasting bonds between athletes who go on to become friends. Messi’s appreciation of Neymar for his kindness and not just his on-field genius reveals a human side to football. Hotly contested matches and the pressure of being an elite footballer often obscure this aspect of the sport, but Messi’s message has offered a timely reminder that even athletes need emotional support.

Advice

From Messi and Neymar to legendary players such as Pele and Diego Maradona, football has shown us that friendship is as much a part of the sport as intense games and rivalries. So, aspiring footballers must learn to appreciate both their teammates’ athletic abilities and personal traits beyond the field of play. It is a reminder to appreciate the human side of football, which is far too often ignored.