Chapter 7: Farewell to Barça and a Parisian Interlude (2019–2022)The Cracks Appear: 2019–2020
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The Season of Almost
Barcelona begins 2019–20 with Messi at 32, still untouchable: 50 goals, 25 assists, sixth European Golden Shoe. Yet the team unravels.
• Anfield Collapse (May 7, 2019): Leading 3–0 from the first leg, Liverpool scores four in the second. Messi watches Wijnaldum’s second goal from his knees.
• Copa América 2019: Brazil 2–0 Argentina in the semi-final. Messi is sent off for the first time in his career after a scuffle with Gary Medel. He refuses the third-place medal:The Burofax (August 25, 2020)
With one year left on his contract, Messi activates a clause allowing a free exit. He sends a burofax (certified fax) to president Josep Bartomeu:Bartomeu refuses, citing a clause that expired in June. Messi’s lawyers argue COVID shifted deadlines. The standoff lasts 12 days.
• Press conference (September 4, 2020): Messi, voice cracking:“I told my children we were staying. I never want to go to court against the club that gave me everything.”He stays—but the love is goneThe Final Season in Blue and Red: 2020–21
Koeman’s Arrival
Ronald Koeman, new coach, texts Messi on vacation:“Privileges are over. You follow the rules like everyone.”Messi scores 38 goals anyway, including a hat-trick vs. Real Sociedad where he kisses the Barça badge one last time.
• Copa del Rey Final (April 17, 2021): 4–0 vs. Athletic. Messi lifts the trophy—his 35th with Barcelona, a record.
• La Liga: Barcelona finishes third.
The Farewell Press Conference (August 8, 2021)
Camp Nou auditorium, 11 a.m.
Messi walks in wearing a suit, eyes red.
• He planned to take a 50 % pay cut to stay.
• La Liga’s salary cap + €1.5 billion club debt blocks the deal.
• First public tears:“This is my home. I never imagined leaving like this.”He hugs Puyol, Busquets, Piqué. The room sobs.
672 goals, 778 games, 10 La Liga titles, 4 Champions Leagues.
The Flea leaves the nest.
Paris: The City of Light, the City of Boos (2021–2022)
The Signing (August 10, 2021)
PSG unveils Messi at the Parc des Princes. Neymar, his MSN brother, waits with a hug.
• Contract: €35 million/year + crypto tokens.
• Number 30: The number he wore on his Barça debut.
First Season – The Struggle
• Injury: Calf strain, then COVID in December.
• Ligue 1: Only 6 goals in 26 games.
• Champions League: PSG leads Real Madrid 1–0 in the second leg. Benzema hat-trick in 17 minutes. Messi is booed by his own fans for the first time.
The Pochettino Era Ends
Mauricio Pochettino, fellow Rosario native, is sacked in 2022. Messi’s only joy:
• Reunion with Neymar and Mbappé—but the chemistry is forced.
• Ligue 1 title (May 2022)—his 10th league title, but celebrated with silence.
The World Cup Prelude: 2021 Copa América
Maracanã, July 10, 2021
Argentina vs. Brazil.
• Di María lobs Ederson in the 22nd minute.
• Messi misses an open goal in the 88th—falls to his knees, laughing in relief.
• Final whistle: Argentina wins 1–0.
• Messi’s tears:“This is for the 45 million Argentines who suffered with me.”He is named tournament MVP and top scorer.
The drought ends after 28 years.
The nation forgives.
The Final Numbers in Paris (2021–2022)Seventh Ballon d’Or (November 29, 2021)
Messi wins for the Copa América and his legacy.
• Lewandowski finishes second.
• Messi dedicates it to Argentina:This is for my teammates who believed when I couldn’t.”The Quiet Exit from PSG (June 2022)
Contract expires. No renewal talks.
• Last match: PSG 5–0 Metz. Messi scores, points to the crest, walks off.
• Statement:“Paris was a chapter. Barcelona was my life. Now I choose family.”The Final Image of the Chapter
August 2022 – Barcelona Airport
Messi boards a private jet with Antonela and the boys.
Thiago (9) wears a Barça shirt.
Mateo (6) clutches a PSG scarf.
Ciro (4) sleeps with a tiny Argentina flag.
The pilot announces: “Destination: Miami.”
Messi looks out the window as Europe fades.
He is 35.
He has everything—and nothing.
The boy who arrived with a napkin contract leaves Europe with seven Ballons d’Or, three international titles, and a heart still bleeding blue and red.
Paris was never home.
The next chapter will be written under the Florida sun—where the Flea will learn to fly again, this time for joy, not survival.
- Writer
