Loving Lionel

The morning after the night before. It looks as if Barcelona have parted ways with the best player the club, along with the world, has ever seen. A relationship strained by the events of the past 12 months. At times, it seemed that this marriage between an Argentine and his Catalan lover, would go against the odds and stand the test of time. For much of the summer, at least, it looked as if the story would continue. Alas, it was not meant to be. Now, the inevitable fallout is there for all to see, with the emotions of Barcelona fans laid bare. However, one does not have to be a culer (fan of Barcelona), to be reflective at the news of this break-up. Of their own journey that led them to be amazed by a 5'5 born in Rosario, Argentina.

Source: Theathletic.com

My first time in Barcelona, Lionel's home city for the last 21 years, was in 2014 on a school trip. The labeled 'purpose' of the visit, was to practice our broken Spanish with patient and willing catalanes (people of Catalonia). The journey from El Prat to the centre made it apparent who's city this was. From the the portadas (front pages), to sides of buses and buildings, imagery of Messi adorned the city like the flag of a nation. In the street, vendors selling tickets to the next Camp Nou fixture would not offer the chance to see Barcelona, instead to watch Messi. Can't afford that? No worries, go for a stadium tour and see his five Ballon d'Ors (there has been one more since). It soon became clear that the Catalan capital had surpassed the stage of adoration for Lionel by the time I had first visited Barcelona, it was now obsession.

Source: en.as.com

Some months after, I found myself ticking over from the feeling of appreciation towards Messi, into being enganchado (hooked). The turning point for me came during the 2015 Copa del Rey final, Barcelona faced Athletic Club at the Camp Nou. On the 20' minute he collected the ball just ahead of the halfway line and stood up a Bilbao player. After out-thinking him he drove with the ball to the byline and was swarmed by another two opposing players before singling out his first victim again and bursting past him. The eyes of the stadium were transfixed on him. Now in the box, he cut inside another defender to get the ball on his treasured left foot and he struck the ball. Somehow, his effort darted past the goalkeeper, just inside the near palo (post). I watched the goal on repeat for the next day or two and each time it left me with a rye smile, it still does now. Poetry in motion.

Four years later I moved to Barcelona as part of my studies. To see that the love for Messi had not waned in the city was a beautiful thing. Now, it seemed that the relationship between Barcelona and Lionel had matured since I was last there. A mutual understanding and comfort. At that time, in 2019, Messi had been club captain for a year. His three children: Thiago, Matteo and Ciro, had completed his family with his esposa (wife), Antonela. He'd established Barcelona as home some time ago, now the next generation were growing up in the city that had given their father so much and shaped him into the man he is now.

Source: football-espana.net

I managed to save up for a couple of matches to see Lionel play. In those two games, he scored five. One game was against Valladolid, in which he scored a brace, and the second saw him score a hat-trick against Vigo. Whenever he collected the ball, the crowd, including myself, were in awe. Whether it was a pinpoint pass that switched play from one side of the pitch to the other, a threatening dribble or a casual flick; he transcended the pitch and seemed to float across the green. When a tiro libre (free-kick) was given to Barcelona around the box, there was an expectation for him to score. Even if he missed, the excitement of the situation superseded any feelings of disappointment. When he was in possession I tried to savor every moment. I rose to my feet, something I wouldn't do for a monarch, and I smiled.

Source: fcbarcelona.com

With the news of Lionel's departure, one thing is certain: Barcelona will not be the same again; neither the club nor the city. Wherever he is to go to, he will be loved unconditionally. Critics will be ready to scrutinise any mistake or game that he does not win on his own accord. What they will be forgetting is that Messi had the power to change the landscape of one of the world's most wondrous cities. In footballing terms, he broke records for fun and inspired anyone who watched him. Personally, I will forever be grateful to have seen him in the flesh. To put it simply, I will forever be loving Lionel.

Source: skysports.com