Argentine media outlets stunned by 'bombshell' Messi news
Barcelona's shock announcement on Thursday that superstar Lionel Messi would be leaving the club is a "bombshell" of global proportions, according to local media outlets.
Barcelona's shock announcement on Thursday that superstar Lionel Messi would be leaving the club is a "bombshell" of global proportions, according to local media ouetlets.
Less than a month after the six-time Ballon d'Or winner inspired his country to end their 27-year wait for a major international title in a 1-0 Copa America final victory over arch rivals Brazil, Messi's homeland was left stupefied.
"It is the end of a unique and undoubtedly unmatchable legend," wrote sports newspaper Olé.
"One of the most beautiful stories in world football is ending: the day we never imagined has finally arrived," added Olé in a tweet.
Newspaper La Nación said this "unexpected turn" of events was "a bombshell that has shaken world football."
Television channel TyCSports said the news was "difficult to believe" in a tweet, adding that it was "the end of an era that has forever marked the history of football."
Just as the football world began immediately to speculate on which moneybags club Messi would end up at next, local sides in Argentina cheekily allowed themselves to dream, even though the economic reality in the recession-hit South American country would make a homecoming an even more astonishing event.
The hashtag "Welcome Leo" started trending on Twitter as mock up pictures of Messi wearing the jerseys of domestic giants Boca Juniors, River Plate, Newell's Old Boys and San Lorenzo appeared, as well as more modest outfits such as Sacachispas FC.
The local press, though, took an instant interest in where Messi, 34, will really end up next.
"Global shock .... will Paris Saint-Germain be his new club?" asked Clarín, speculating that the French Ligue 1 club was "the main candidate to add him to their galacticos" including Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.
"Messi is in his prime and with his sights set on the Qatar World Cup, that's why he is continuing to bet on European football," added the newspaper, which pointed out he has been courted by the Qatari owned PSG for many years.
Social media was also awash with memes, including several featuring Messi's Argentine countryman Sergio Agüero, who last month joined Barcelona on a free transfer from Manchester City saying he was looking forward to playing with his friend.
– TIMES/AFP
related news
-
Stories that caught our eye: April 19 to 26
-
Superclásico victory boosts Boca’s Copa hopes
-
Bye bye TV Pública: Telefe to broadcast Albiceleste's matches in Argentina
-
Football club puts losses at 120 million euros in dispute over striker's death
-
Copa drama sets up first Superclásico with both sets of fans since 2018
-
Stories that caught our eye: April 5 to 12
-
Copa de la Liga Profesional qualification goes down to the wire
-
Agüero allies himself with Milei, says City Football Group interested in Argentina
-
Boca’s trip to Bolivia turns into an Odyssey
-
‘Messi of chess’: Argentine 10-year-old child prodigy takes no prisoners