Pedri Refused to Believe Lionel Messi’s Barcelona Exit Was True

Spain International Opens Up on Shock, Memories, and Playing Alongside the Argentine GOAT

When Lionel Messi walked away from Barcelona in the summer of 2021, the football world stopped in disbelief. Even those closest to him — teammates, coaches, and lifelong friends of the club — struggled to comprehend the news. For Pedri, then just a year into his dream career at the Camp Nou, it was more than just shocking; it was surreal.

“It was a shock when Leo Lionel Messi left,” Pedri told France Football. “I was playing in the Olympics, and I found it hard to believe.”

These weren’t just the words of a young player losing a teammate. They were the words of someone who had grown up idolising Lionel Messi, only to share a pitch with him, and then watch that reality dissolve almost overnight.

The Summer That Changed Everything

The summer of 2021 was supposed to be about rebuilding. Barcelona were still grappling with the aftermath of pandemic-hit finances, but few imagined those troubles could sever ties with the greatest player in the club’s history.

Messi’s contract had expired, and while both he and the club wanted a renewal, La Liga’s strict financial rules made it impossible. The numbers simply didn’t work. It didn’t matter how much the Argentine wanted to stay, or how willing he was to reduce his wages — the club’s debt was too deep.

The announcement came suddenly. Within days, an emotional press conference was held. Messi, standing in front of the cameras at the Camp Nou, fought back tears as he said his goodbyes. The Blaugrana faithful wept with him.

For Pedri, the news didn’t immediately sink in.

A Young Star in the Middle of It All

Lionel Messi Barcelona tears

At the time, Pedri was halfway across the world, representing Spain at the Tokyo Olympics. He was riding the wave of a breakout season with Barcelona — having become a key figure in Ronald Koeman’s midfield — but still felt like the new kid in the dressing room.

“From a distance, I kept hearing the rumours,” Pedri recalled. “But I thought, no, this is Lionel Messi. Lionel Messi doesn’t leave Barcelona. This is his home.”

When confirmation finally came, Pedri was stunned. Watching the footage of Lionel Messi’s farewell on a phone screen, surrounded by Olympic teammates, it felt impossible.

Playing Alongside the GOAT

If there’s one thing Pedri will always treasure, it’s that he got to share the pitch with Lionel Messi — even if only for a single season.

“I always passed the ball to Messi,” Pedri laughed. “Clearly, he was better than me. He was incredible in training; we were lucky to see him.”

It wasn’t just about watching his technical brilliance up close — the tight control, the impossible dribbles, the finishing that looked effortless. It was also about the way Messi saw the game, almost like he had a map in his head that no one else could see.

Pedri quickly learned the unwritten rule that many Barcelona players lived by during the Messi era: if you have the ball and Lionel Messi is in space, give it to him.

The Lionel Messi Effect on Young Players

For a young player like Pedri, having Lionel Messi as a teammate was an accelerated education. Every training session was an opportunity to observe a master at work. It wasn’t just about skill — it was about decision-making, composure under pressure, and an unshakable competitive spirit.

“You’d see him in training doing things you couldn’t even imagine in a match,” Pedri said. “And then he’d do the same thing in a match, but faster, and with three defenders chasing him.”

That kind of daily exposure leaves a mark. Even now, two years later, Pedri still talks about Lionel Messi in a tone reserved for legends — not just because of what he achieved, but because of how he made his teammates feel.

Messi’s Next Chapter

Pedri Lionel Messi Barcelona

While Barcelona were left to pick up the pieces, Lionel Messi embarked on a new adventure. Within days of leaving Catalunya, he signed with Paris Saint-Germain. His arrival in France was met with a frenzy — thousands gathering outside the Parc des Princes, Messi jerseys selling out in hours, global headlines tracking his every move.

Pedri, like many of his former teammates, kept watching from afar. He saw Lionel Messi lift more trophies in Paris, adapt to a new league, and continue to produce moments of magic.

Now, Messi is in the United States with Inter Miami, lighting up Major League Soccer and transforming the club into a global talking point. Reports suggest he might one day return to Barcelona — perhaps for one final farewell match when the renovated Camp Nou reopens.

The Emotional Goodbye

Even two years on, the images from Lionel Messi’s farewell press conference still hit hard. A player who had carried Barcelona for more than a decade stood in front of the club’s crest, tears streaming down his face. He spoke of memories, friendships, and the city that had become his home.

For Pedri, that moment represented more than just the end of an era. It was a personal loss. He had gone from dreaming of one day playing alongside Messi to living that dream — and then having it cut short.

Pedri’s Career Since Lionel Messi’s Exit

Since Messi’s departure, Pedri has grown into one of Barcelona’s most important players. His vision, touch, and composure have drawn comparisons to legends like Andrés Iniesta. He’s become a central figure for both club and country, carrying much of the creative burden once shouldered by Messi.

Yet, even as Pedri carves his own path, the influence of those early days alongside Messi remains. You can see it in the way he looks for the unexpected pass, or how he scans the field before receiving the ball — habits learned from training with one of the game’s all-time greats.

What It Means to Lose a Legend

Messi’s departure was a reminder that even in football, nothing lasts forever. Icons leave, clubs rebuild, and young players step into bigger roles. But for those who shared the pitch with him, the memories are a lifetime gift.

Pedri may have only played with Lionel Messi for a season, but in that time he absorbed lessons and experiences that will shape his career. And while the shock of that 2021 summer has faded, the respect and admiration remain as strong as ever.

The Future — And a Possible Reunion

Barcelona fans still dream of seeing Messi in the famous shirt again, even if just for one symbolic match. The €1.5 billion renovation of the Camp Nou is set to give the club a glittering new home, and whispers suggest Messi could be invited back for the grand reopening.

For Pedri, that would be the perfect chance to once again link up with the man he once called a teammate — and still calls the GOAT.

Final Thoughts

When Pedri says he “found it hard to believe” Lionel Messi was leaving, he speaks for millions. Messi wasn’t just a Barcelona player; he was Barcelona’s beating heart for more than 15 years.

For a young midfielder from Tenerife, the chance to share that heartbeat — even for a short time — was priceless. And if fate allows, perhaps they’ll share the pitch once more, giving Pedri and the Barcelona faithful one last glimpse of football’s greatest partnership in action.