Barcelona was the setting for the longest and most successful chapter of Messi’s professional career. Having joined the club as a teenager, he developed into one of the greatest players in football history, winning numerous major trophies and establishing records that remain central to the club’s legacy. The city also became home to his family, strengthening a connection that extended well beyond the football pitch.
Messi arrived in Oviedo on Thursday with his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, receiving a warm welcome from enthusiastic supporters. The Argentina captain, who led his country to World Cup glory, was due to receive the Princess of Asturias Award in the sports category on Friday.
Speaking to Spanish news agency EFE, Messi recalled the remarkable period he spent at Barcelona, emphasising that the experience was about much more than winning matches and collecting trophies.
“We were fortunate to win everything. The way we played, enjoyed our victories and achieved all the important things was wonderful. But, above all, we also enjoyed our everyday lives and training sessions; we had a really good time,” he said.
His comments reveal the importance he places on the everyday experiences that accompanied Barcelona’s extraordinary success. While supporters often remember his time at the club through spectacular goals, historic victories and individual accolades, Messi also treasures the camaraderie he shared with teammates and the pleasure of working together day after day.
A Barcelona career filled with records
Messi’s journey at Barcelona began during his teenage years. Over nearly two decades, he became the club’s leading goalscorer and record appearance-maker, playing a decisive role in one of the most successful periods in its history.
During his time at the Catalan side, Messi won 10 La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League trophies, alongside numerous other domestic and international honours. His individual achievements were equally remarkable. With a record eight Ballon d’Or awards, he established himself among the most decorated players the sport has ever seen.
His close control, exceptional vision, precise passing and extraordinary scoring ability made him a defining figure in European football. Messi helped Barcelona maintain its position among the continent’s leading clubs, delivering outstanding performances in domestic competitions and on the European stage.
Yet his latest reflections suggest that the significance of those years cannot be measured by statistics alone. The friendships he formed, the training sessions he enjoyed and the experiences he shared with his teammates remain an important part of his memories.
An unwanted departure from his boyhood club
Messi’s departure from Barcelona in August 2021 brought an emotional end to his long association with the club. Financial difficulties and problems with registering a new contract meant that an agreement could not be completed, despite the longstanding relationship between the player and the institution.
He subsequently joined Paris Saint-Germain, spending two seasons with the French club before moving to the United States in July 2023. He has since represented Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, embarking on a new chapter in a career that has spanned European and American football.
Although his professional life has moved on, Barcelona remains closely connected to his personal history. All three of his children were born in the city, which became the backdrop to important years in his family life as well as his footballing development.
That connection helps explain why Messi continues to speak so warmly about his former club. Barcelona was where he grew into adulthood, achieved the highest honours in club football and built a life with his family. Leaving the team did not erase those experiences or diminish their importance.
A legacy that extends beyond football
For Barcelona supporters, Messi remains one of the most significant figures in the club’s history. His goals, performances and contribution to its success helped define an era that supporters continue to remember with pride.
His return to Spain for the Princess of Asturias Award has provided an opportunity to reflect on that defining period. Now playing for Inter Miami, he has entered a different phase of his career, but the memories of his years in Catalonia remain central to his story.
Messi’s admission that Barcelona’s importance is difficult to describe captures the depth of his attachment to the club. It represents not only a remarkable collection of trophies and records, but also a place where lasting friendships were formed and family memories were made.
For a footballer whose career has been celebrated through goals, titles and individual awards, his reflections offer a reminder that the most meaningful experiences often extend beyond measurable achievements. Barcelona gave Messi the stage on which he became a global sporting icon, but the city also became part of who he is.
