Real Madrid players struggled to come to terms with a shocking report of Lionel Messi seeking to end his time at Barcelona after 20 years with the club. At first, Los Blancos were “incredulous” about the news report, as Lionel Messi was said to have sent a burofax to Camp Nou through his lawyers, asking to exercise the opt-out clause in his contract.
According to ESPN, players initially went on a stream of WhatsApp messages, discussing the viability of the move and if it could really happen, ultimately coming to terms with what can be their new reality.
Even a day later after that bombshell news story, players found it hard to believe that the Argentine would follow through on his threat to leave the club after 20 years.
Not a single member of this Real Madrid squad has experienced El Clasico without Lionel Messi, with even the veteran captain Sergio Ramos, who joined the summer after Messi made his debut with the senior team on Oct. 2004.
Messi is the all-time El Clasico top scorer with 26 goals, 18 of them coming in La Liga play. The dynamo has carved a career of big moments against Real Madrid — from his first-ever hat-trick in a 3-3 draw in 2007 to an injury-time 3-2 winner in 2017, one he memorably celebrated by holding his jersey up in the air for fans to see.
Can't be a real Barcelona fan without having this Ray Hudson call seared into your head:
Though it might be difficult, Real Madrid might just have to adjust to their new reality. If reports of an “irreversible” decision are true, there won't be a Lionel Messi across the pitch when these two storied clubs inevitably face each other again — a sight that will take time adjusting to.
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