The news that Lionel Messi is leaving Barcelona sent Twitter into a tizzy with jokes about Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Sergio Aguero and more.
The biggest name in world soccer is officially on the move.
On Wednesday, Barcelona dropped a bombshell announcing legendary forward Lionel Messi won’t re-sign with the club. He will leave this summer after 17 seasons, 10 La Liga titles and four Champions League triumphs.
It’s the literal end of an era for Barcelona and La Liga.
LATEST NEWS | Leo #Messi will not continue with FC Barcelona
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 5, 2021
https://twitter.com/TotalElBicho/status/1423348512075419665?s=20
https://twitter.com/oscos/status/1423344980396027907?s=20
Wow! Messi leaving Barcelona.
— Jan Aage Fjørtoft 🏳️🌈 🇳🇴 💛💙 (@JanAageFjortoft) August 5, 2021
Like McCartney leaving the Beatles
Charles leaving Diana
God even got in on the action.
I thought about it for a long time but I decided Messi should leave Barça, and the reason why is to make you personally unhappy.
— God (Not a Parody, Actually God) (@TheTweetOfGod) August 5, 2021
Aside from all the emotion, the overriding reaction on Twitter was to bring out the jokes and the memes.
After all, it’s pretty funny that Sergio Aguero moved to Barcelona with the intent of playing with Messi, only for him to leave.
Sergio Aguero after joining Barca to play with Messi, only for Messi to leave pic.twitter.com/jVpULJOZt2
— Max. ✍🏼 (@AFCMax9) August 5, 2021
City fans were returning Jack Grealish to make room.
City fans returning Grealish to Villa after hearing Messi wants to leave pic.twitter.com/bzVXLIy93H
— Dubois (@CFCDUBois) August 5, 2021
City returning Grealish so that they can afford Messi pic.twitter.com/o4CwIrwdza
— 𝐄𝐑 (@ErlingRoIe) August 5, 2021
Harry Kane’s situation with Tottenham could also come into play.
Harry Kane paying his fine for missing Spurs training to Daniel Levy after Manchester City drop their interest in him to sign Lionel Messi: pic.twitter.com/IQ67fTYwil
— Okon ‘Ediye’ Nya (@iamOkon) August 5, 2021
If they got it done, though? City would be an astounding collection of players.
Man City if they sign Kane & Messi pic.twitter.com/xOc8YlZM6T
— ODDSbible (@ODDSbible) August 5, 2021
City wouldn’t be the only contender for Messi, though. PSG has entered the chat.
Mbappe and Neymar trying to convince Messi to join PSG https://t.co/ync5b0HwqS
— . (@toocheis) August 5, 2021
Literally everyone else was dreaming of adding the superstar.
Welcome to Manchester United leo #Messi pic.twitter.com/gXo07jFyi2
— NASASIRA ARNOLD (@RealNasasira) August 5, 2021
“I always dreamt of playing alongside Curtis Jones”
— J (@jackzinto_) August 5, 2021
-Messi
The dream continues pic.twitter.com/oDmH1kVYaj
https://twitter.com/PhilaUnion/status/1423347926886199304?s=20
https://twitter.com/mufcjxcobv3/status/1423346731572363266?s=20
The dominoes set in motion by Messi’s move are massive. And complex. Speculation over who can and can afford him was rampant.
This Messi situation throws a wrench in the entire remaining transfer market. Could affect PSG, Madrid, Pogba, United, City, etc with the knock on effect. All bets are off. Panic in the streets.
— UnitedMuppetiers (@Muppetiers) August 5, 2021
People saying Messi to PSG but how? Neymar on 850k a week, Mbappe 400k, Ramos, Marquinhos & Verratti all on 250k
— Akio Fernandes (@BlueWolf_09) August 5, 2021
People saying Mbappe to Madrid but again how? They need to streamline their funds towards signing a CB or two, plus Mbappe free next year
This is gonna be fun
Me trying to figure out if Messi could end up anywhere but Man City or PSG pic.twitter.com/Tuq7yQZfQB
— Always Cheating: A Fantasy Premier League Podcast (@hailcheaters) August 5, 2021
https://twitter.com/Buchi_Laba/status/1423350048155443202?s=20
Messi’s move will dominate the soccer world for the rest of the month and beyond. It’s a tectonic shift for the sport. Strap in and get ready for some madness.