Lionel Messi told how Ronaldinho received him when he arrived at Barcelona

Lionel Messi, arguably FC Barcelona's greatest player, was notably absent from the club's 125th-anniversary celebration at the Liceu, citing personal commitments following Inter Miami's elimination from playoff contention. However, the Argentine legend has not forgotten his deep connection to the Catalan club.

In an interview with Mundo Deportivo, Messi reminisced about his 21 years at Barcelona, from joining the youth academy at 13 to departing at 34 under difficult circumstances after the club chose not to renew his contract. “I have beautiful memories of the best club in the world,” said Messi, highlighting the collective successes, particularly the historic Sextuple.

Guardiola, Ronaldinho, and Unforgettable Moments

Messi reflected on key figures who shaped his career, naming Pep Guardiola and Ronaldinho as pivotal influences. “Pep was my coach for many years, and we achieved incredible things. Ronaldinho, on the other hand, helped me a lot when I joined the first team,” he recalled. Messi also mentioned his admiration for former teammates like Andrés Iniesta, Xavi, Sergio Busquets, Luis Suárez, and Jordi Alba, as well as the late Tito Vilanova, whom he said is "greatly missed."

While living over 8,000 kilometers away in Miami, Messi continues to follow Barcelona closely. He recently praised the team’s progress under Hansi Flick in an interview with TV3. “It’s a great source of pride to see how the first team is represented. This Barça is spectacular, and their success doesn’t surprise me. When supported, great things happen, just like in our time.”

Hopes for Barcelona’s Return to Glory

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner expressed his hopes for Barcelona’s return to its historic dominance. “I hope the club can go back to being what it always was: a global reference, fighting to win titles until the end of every season. As a Barça player, you can never settle for second place or not winning.”

Barcelona currently leads LaLiga and is third in their Champions League group, showing promise despite recent challenges. Messi remains optimistic, saying, “I would love to see Barça winning LaLiga, the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League again. In years when that’s not possible, at least competing until the very end.”

• Messi’s Legacy: 672 goals in 778 appearances, including the historic Sextuple season.
• Influential Figures: Guardiola, Ronaldinho, and former teammates shaped his career.
• Current Observations: Messi praised Hansi Flick’s Barcelona as “spectacular.”
• Hopes for the Future: Messi dreams of Barça reclaiming its status as a title-winning powerhouse.
• Personal Connection: Despite his absence, Messi’s bond with Barcelona remains unbroken.