Barcelona fans chanted Lionel Messi’s name as they crashed out of the Champions League on Wednesday night.
Their 3-0 defeat to Bayern Munich at the Nou Camp sent the Catalan club crashing out of the competition at the group stage for the second straight year. With Messi lighting up France with Paris Saint-Germain, there was a clear case of missing what they once had.
From Messi’s perspective, it is clear what Barcelona means to him, especially their Champions League performance. At the height of his powers, they won the competition in 2011 and 2015 but have been on a sudden decline in recent years.
That decline started to unravel against Roma in the quarter-finals in 2018, then spiralled when they were beaten 4-0 by Liverpool at Anfield in the semi-finals the following year. Defeat on Merseyside left Lionel Messi in tears in the corridors, inconsolable in the famous old stadium as he tried to contemplate the defeat.
A few weeks later, he admitted the damage of the defeat both personally and on the club, who until that time had set such high standards in Europe.
“It was one of the worst experiences in my career. January until now has been such a terrible time for everybody.
“I think in the Champions League there are four matches where we could turn the whole season around if we get the right results.
“I think the people here at the club will feel angry about what’s been going on this season but that’s normal, the players feel like that too, it’s logical people will be critical.
“I think it’s like losing against Roma and Liverpool, when you don’t win anything no-one is happy.”
Two years later, Messi was in tears again as he was forced to leave Barcelona amid their financial crisis and promptly joined Paris Saint-Germain. There have been links with a move back to the Nou Camp, but they look highly unlikely to materialise after reportedly being offered a new deal in the French capital.
Despite watching on from afar, Messi retains a great affinity with Barcelona, where he always wore his heart on his sleeve. He will have no doubt seen the fans singing his name as they sunk to a new low in his absence.
Given the personal pain he felt over their Anfield debacle, it is clear he would share their frustration and disappointment. Earlier this month, Barca boss Xavi declared the club remains Messi’s “home” when asked about a move.
He said: “With Leo, let's see, but it's not the moment to talk about it right now. You know the love I have for him. He is a friend and I will always wish him the best.
“Barca is his home, but we're not doing him any favours speaking about [his future], either. Let's leave him in peace to enjoy his time in Paris and wish him all the best.”
Whilst not present for their latest Champions League failure, Barcelona fans’ chants made it clear that he remains a lingering presence from which the club simply can’t escape amid their latest disappointment.
