One Barcelona player has hinted that not everything was good between him and Lionel Messi, as he said goodbye to the club’s highest ever goal scorer.
The football world is still getting over Thursday night’s news that Messi is no longer going to be a Barcelona player, with the 34-year-old expected to be heading to PSG.
Tributes to the six time Ballon d’Or winner, who took the famous club to incredible heights, have been pouring in from his ex teammates.
Gerard Pique led the tributes, with Barca boss Ronald Koeman following as well, but one player used his tribute to also hint at problems between him and the forward.
Posting on Instagram, goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen said, “Leo, it’s been a pleasure to play alongside you for all these years, sharing many happy times together in the form of moments and titles.
“While we didn’t always agree on everything, we both wanted what was best for the team and managed to grow as individuals, regardless of the result. Thanks for that!
“You made history with the club of your life, and you’ll go down in history as a true legend of football. Something that no other player will ever get close to. You changed football.
“I wish you and your family the very best for whatever lies ahead.
“A big hug from Dani and Ben, too.”
Reports suggested that issues between the German keeper and Messi started as early as November 2019, with Ter Stegen annoyed at the forward and striker partner Luis Suarez for their lack of tracking back, during a game with Slavia Prague.
The pair clashed in training not long after and even had to be separated by fellow teammates, after a gesture from the Argentina forward.
According to Diario Gol at the beginning of this year, the Catalan giants’ number one then became annoyed at his teammate for his votes in the FIFA Best awards voting.
Messi voted for Keylor Navas, Manuel Neuer and Jan Oblak as his Goalkeepers of the Year, ahead of his club teammate.
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Ter Stegen might not have got in with his captain, but you can be sure he’ll be missing the PSG bound forward when Barcelona aren’t winning as much silverware…