Lionel Messi’s departure last year came not only as a surprise to the fans but also to the Argentine himself. The sudden move sent shockwaves through Spain, for no one could imagine the player separated from his boyhood club.
Since then, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has maintained good relationships with most of his Barcelona peers, making constant trips to Spain. However, his relationship with Gerard Pique has not been on the best of notes.
According to Alfredo Martinez, the friendship between Messi and Pique has broken ever since the former captain left the club.
The latest round of rumours stalk from Messi’s visit to Barcelona yesterday. The PSG player was seen meeting up with Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets at a restaurant, but there was no sight of Pique.
While the incident is indeed too superficial to draw conclusions, it does come as a surprise that Pique was the only member of the old guard at Barça left out of the reunion.
It is speculated that the divide between the two childhood friends comes after Pique told Laporta that ‘nothing bad would happen’ if Messi left the club, fuelling the process of the Argentine’s departure.
Messi last featured in Paris Saint Germain’s win over Reims at the weekend. In just 27 minutes on the field, he provided an assist to seal a 4-0 win for his side.