Barcelona without Lionel Messi began its campaign in the new season with a bang. The champion club first season minus Messi in 17 years kicked off with a 4-2 win over Real Sociedad in the Spanish league on Sunday, with several fans of the club in the crowd of more than 20,284 fans at the Camp Nou Stadium remembering their favorite hero Messi and staging a protest against the club for bidding adieu to him.
The majority of fans shouted and chanted Messi’s name in the 10th minute, a reference to the No. 10 jersey he used to wear at the club. Many FC Barcelona fans were wearing or carrying Messi’s jersey, and several banners paying tribute to the magical playmaker.
“Forever grateful to Messi,” read one of slogans at the football stadia during the Barca Match
FC Barcelona on Thursday announced that the contract negotiation with Messi has ended as the club will not be able to register the six-time Ballon d’Or winner due to Spanish Financial Fair Play.
Messi said he is hoping to return to his favorite Barca club at some point as he never imagined saying goodbye to Barcelona.
