“Tell the one wearing the cap backwards to come” - Lionel Messi’s ex-Barcelona teammate makes transfer request to Argentina captain

Lionel Messi’s former Barcelona teammate Marc Bartra took to social media to ask the Argentine icon for help in securing a transfer. The Spanish defender is hoping he can help secure the signing of Giovanni Lo Celso for Real Betis.

The Tottenham Hotspur midfielder has been linked with a move to the Seville-based club following his fall down the pecking order in north London. He made just 21 appearances across competitions last season. Lo Celso is expected to return to Betis imminently, with the Premier League side expecting £15 million to let him leave, as per ABC (via Sport Witness).

Lo Celso initially joined the north London club from Betis for €32 million in 2019 but looks set to return at less than half of his initial cost. He also had a respectable two seasons out on loan at Villarreal, bagging three goals and four assists in 51 games for the Yellow Submarine.

Bartra took to Instagram to seek the help of his former teammate at Blaugrana in his quest to bring the midfielder to Betis. He replied to Lionel Messi's birthday post on Instagram that featured Lo Celso, writing:

Lionel Messi's former teammate at Barcelona asks for transfer favor

“Happy birthday Leo!! and tell the one wearing the cap backwards (Lo Celso) to come yaa”

The former Barcelona defender will hope his side can strengthen sufficiently this window. Lo Celso will be keen to secure his future after Copa America concludes. He played 108 times for Spurs during his time with them, scoring 10 and assisting eight goals.

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Lionel Messi's time with Barcelona

Argentine legend Lionel Messi began his career with Barcelona and developed into one of the best footballers in the history of the sport there. He spent 21 years in Catalonia, winning the UEFA Champions League four times, La Liga 10 times and the Copa del Rey seven times.

La Pulga was famed for his unpredictability on the ball and ability to decide matches in an instant. He formed the core of an all-conquering Blaugrana team that won six trophies in one year under Pep Guardiola in 2009. He is considered the best player in the illustrious history of the club.

Lionel Messi won the greatest individual prize in football, the Ballon d'Or six times during his stay with the Catalan club to underline his abilities. Overall, he's won it eight times, winning it twice after leaving Barca. Messi left his boyhood club in August of 2021 following Barcelona's financial woes making a new contract for him impossible. He joined Paris Saint-Germain for free that summer.

Lionel Messi will be remembered for years to come at Barcelona for years to come. His tally of 672 goals and 303 assists in 778 games leave him as the highest goalscorer and assist-provider in the club's history.