Pique and Messi grew up together in the club’s famed La Masia academy, before playing alongside each other in Barcelona’s first-team for 13 years, winning 30 trophies in that time
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Gerard Pique has delivered an X-rated farewell to Lionel Messi after it was confirmed that the superstar would be leaving Barcelona.
The Catalan giants confirmed on Thursday night that the Argentine would be leaving the Nou Camp after La Liga failed to clear his contract, despite the forward taking a 50 per cent pay-cut.
It is the end of an era in Spain’s second city, with Messi having won 34 trophies during his time in the senior squad since he made his debut 17 years ago.
Both Messi and Barca wanted him to extend his 21-year association with the club, but their disastrous financial state meant that they could not clear the La Liga salary cap.
That meant that discussions broke down, with Messi now free to speak to clubs throughout Europe who will be desperate for his signature.
One man who has been at Messi’s side throughout his time in Catalonia is Pique, who role through Barca’s La Masia youth academy with the Argentine.
The defender had a four-year stint at Manchester United, before returning to the Nou Camp in 2008 for £5million.
The Spaniard would go on to become one of the world’s best defenders under Pep Guardiola, with Messi had the heart of one of the best teams ever seen.
The duo would go on to lift 30 trophies together as they continued to be key parts of the side, despite their recent struggles.
But Pique will now be playing without Barca’s talisman for the first time in 13 years, with Messi expected to join Paris Saint-Germain.
And having spent so much of his career playing alongside the 34-year-old, Pique delivered a suitably emotional, though X-rated, goodbye message.
“Nothing will ever be the same again. Not the Camp Nou, not the city of Barcelona, not ourselves,” Pique said in a message shared on his social media pages.
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Image:
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“After more than 20 years at the club, you will stop wearing the Barca shirt. The reality, sometimes, is very harsh.
“We met in 2000, we were 13 years old and had a career ahead of us. What career! Damn! If we had designed it at that time, it would have been impossible to make it any better. A f****** madness!”
The Spaniard also highlighted the iconic image of Messi celebrating his goal in the 2009 Champions League final in Rome.
He also wished Messi well for the future and encouraged him to “keep winning” at whichever club he does indeed join.
“In my first season, after returning to FC Barcelona, we won the treble and you became the best player of all time. From Rosario to touching the sky of Rome,” Pique added.
“That’s where the legend began. What came next is history. And what a good time we have had! Now you are leaving, but I know that one day you will come back.
“There are things to do. Have fun, enjoy wherever you go and keep winning as only you know how to do. Here we will miss you. I love you Leo.”
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