‘Paris is closer’: how Italian media reacted to Messi leaving Barcelona
Lionel Messi’s Barcelona exit has shocked the world of football, here’s how Italian media reacted to the news.
It was like a bolt from the blue. Everybody expected Leo Messi to extend his stay at Barcelona even if his contract was expired on June 30.
An agreement between the two parties seemed to be in place, but the La Liga giants announced on Wednesday evening that their legendary No.10 would no longer play at the Nou Camp next season.
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“Despite club and player reaching an agreement and their clear intention to sign a new contract today, this cannot happen because of financial and structural obstacles,” a club statement read.
Messi’s Barcelona exit is not the main news on Italian sports papers just because, a few hours prior, Valentino Rossi had announced his retirement from racing.
However, it is obviously on the front page of every sports paper and the news found its space also on political papers La Repubblica and La Stampa.
“Messi leaves” is the headline on La Gazzetta dello Sport’s front page. “Renewal with Barca blocked by La Liga,” the pink paper explains.
“Renewal, Leo stuns Barca,” writes Il Corriere dello Sport, while Tuttosport and Repubblica suggest PSG are now in pole position to secure his services.