"I thought it was a joke" - When Sergio Aguero spoke about Lionel Messi's surprise exit from Barcelona

Sergio Aguero initially thought that the news of Lionel Messi leaving Barcelona was a joke. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner had to leave the Catalans in the summer of 2021 after they failed to renew his contract.

The diminutive magician rose through the ranks at Camp Nou and went on to conquer the world with the LaLiga giants. He spent 17 seasons with Barcelona, but the club couldn't renew his deal in 2021 due to their poor financial situation.

Speaking to Barca Universal in 2022, Aguero opened up on learning about his countryman's departure from Camp Nou.

"How did I find out about Messi’s departure from Barça? I was with Ibai, drinking mate, and suddenly… he looks at the phone and says to me: ‘No, is this true?’ and shows me the phone with the Barça official announcement," said Aguero.

He continued:

“When Barcelona announced Messi’s departure I thought someone had hacked Barça’s social networks. I thought it was a joke."

Lionel Messi reportedly has a very close relationship with Sergio Aguero from their time together with the Argentina national team. The former Atletico Madrid striker thought he had set up a spectacular reunion with his good friend at Camp Nou in the summer of 2021. However, the two would never share the pitch in club football after Messi had to leave later that summer.

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How many trophies did Lionel Messi win with Barcelona?

Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi left Barcelona as a club legend in 2021 after registering 672 goals and 303 assists from 778 games. The Argentinean is also the club's most successful player, having won 35 trophies during his time at Camp Nou.

Messi made his first team bow on October 16, 2005, and by the end of that season, he had won his first LaLiga title. The diminutive magician would go on to lift nine more league titles with the Spanish giants, while also winning the Champions League four times.

His other titles with Barcelona include eight Supercopa de Espana, seven Copa del Reys, three FIFA Club World Cups, and three European Super Cups.

After leaving the Catalans, Lionel Messi has picked up trophies with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Inter Miami, as well as the Argentina national team. His silverware tally now stands at 46, which makes him the most decorated football player in the world.