Barcelona saw the six-time Ballon d’Or leave his childhood club to join Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent. Despite the loss of Messi, the Blaugrana midfielder Sergio Busquets admits that life goes on even without the Argentine talisman.
“It was a shock, for everything that Leo gave to Barca and personally to me.
“It was an accumulation of emotions that were difficult to digest, but we have to try to change the story. We are at the beginning of the season and we’ll have to get used to playing without Leo.”
the 33-year-old was quoted as saying by Marca.
During his long stay the Camp Nou, Messi had guided the Blaugrana to four Champions League titles. However, the last Champions League title came back in the 2014-15 season. While Messi’s absence will leave a big hole in Ronald Koeman’s plans, Busquets urges others to step up and perform in their quest for the Champions League.
Speaking ahead of their Champions League opener against Bayern Munich, Busquets said:
“Anything can happen in football. Chelsea won the Champions League last season and were not favourites.
“The important thing is the collective level and we know that we do not have Leo or his individual qualities. We are here, excited and aware of the difficulty, but we have a lot of ambition and we want to win.”
While there are a lot of nominees to fill up Messi’s boots, it is Memphis Depay who looks in fine form ever since joining Barcelona earlier this summer. Depay has already registered two goals and an assist from the three outings and will be the player to watch out for against Bayern.
When quizzed whether Depay is the new talisman at Barcelona, Busquets added,
“He has started very well, not only with goals and assists.
“He arrived after having had a few very good seasons and has been a great signing. Hopefully, he will be important in terms of goals and assists, but also in every other way.
“He has connected very well with the fans and has adapted well. Frenkie [de Jong] and Luuk [de Jong] will make it easier for him. Players like this are always welcome.”
