Lionel Messi is a Barcelona legend. When he was on the team, Barcelona never failed to make the knockout stages. Ever since his departure, Barcelona have struggled to progress deep into the competition and failed to make the knockout stages last season.
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Barcelona’s draw against Inter Milan in the Champions League all but confirmed their elimination from the competition. To qualify, they would have to beat Bayern Munich and hope Inter lose the rest of their games. A post after the win by Lautaro Martinez was liked by Lionel Messi, causing outrage among Barcelona fans.
Fans calls Lionel Messi a traitor
Barcelona fans were outraged by the fact that Messi liked his international teammate’s post.
Can’t wait to spam the Messi crying GIF after this traitor makes his quarter final exit https://t.co/VN5t5xHQh4
— Catalan Warrior Backup (@CWarriorBackup) October 13, 2022
Lionel Messi is no longer a Barcelona player, but the Camp Nou faithful still consider him one of their own.
Another proof that Messi does not feel sorry for Barcelona a club who made him who he is today and then later he broke the club and ran away , he is such a shameless traitor
— R#cky 4actos (@7icky1Factos) October 13, 2022
Some fans, on the other hand, were surprised by the outrage against Messi.
This is the problem with this generation. They actually thinks, they own you. You have to do act as they like, otherwise, you are a traitor. Wow.
Job well done, #Barcelona fans, in bringing #Messi down.
So, the man have to live act accordingly to ur lifestyles. #UCL #inter
— Real Madrid CF. #1 fan 🇲🇱 🇺🇸 (@LeFou525) October 13, 2022
The reason could well be that Messi is simply showing his support to his international teammate Martinez.
How’s Messi a traitor for liking his country man post??? Y’all don’t know your real traitor yet lol
— Octo_Vic ⚪ (@Nn_Vhick) October 13, 2022
This sort of reaction from Barcelona fans seems unwarranted. While they have criticised their team’s performance, branding a player who had given a majority of his life to the club as a traitor seems far from fair.
Messi and Barcelona’s future
Lionel Messi has confirmed that this World Cup would be his last. His club career is set to be decided after the World Cup. Reports are linking him with a move back to Camp Nou, which the Catalan giants’ fans will no doubt be longing for. However, PSG remain hell-bent on keeping their talisman and an MLS club is also said to be interested. The 2023 summer transfer window will indeed be very interesting.
Xavi: “I’m sad and angry. I apologize because it’s everyone’s mistake, we had put it into our heads not to fail, but we did”. 🔵🔴 #FCB
“We tell Barça fans that we will work to turn the table around and win titles”. pic.twitter.com/KSXk8OxScz
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 12, 2022
As for Barcelona, their struggles in the Champions League over the past few seasons have been well documented. Their performance against Inter was not up to par. There were questionable performances from aging Pique and Busquets. While their build-up play is impressive they lack a cutting edge in the final third. Fans also questioned the exclusion of Frenkie de Jong. They were well and truly rescued by Lewandowski and Pedri in their draw.
Despite all this Barcelona are on the right track under Xavi, at least in La Liga. The ex-Barcelona midfielder has received full backing from the Barcelona board despite poor Champions League performances.