LIONEL MESSI isn’t the first Barcelona star to think the grass is greener away from the Nou Camp.
The Argentinian legend appears to be at the end of his tether with the struggling Catalans.
Messi during the time before Neymar left for PSGCredit: AFP
Not only has he admitted it would be very difficult for Barcelona to return as the world’s best, Messi, 33, has spoken about his admiration for ex-boss Pep Guardiola, as he continues to be linked to Manchester City.
PSG are also said to be considering launching a bid for the six-time Ballon d’Or winner to partner him up with former team-mate Neymar.
But, as these seven names ended up proving, it doesn’t always work out if you leave Barça.
NEYMAR
PSG (AUGUST 2017)
Although Neymar left Barcelona because he wanted to be the main man elsewhere, and was tired of living under Messi’s shadow, it hasn’t worked out for him entirely at PSG since his world record move.
The project that was sold to him by president Nasser Al-Khelaifi was that the French giants could be Champions League winners and he was going to be part of a side that would dominate Europe for years.
However, it hasn’t quite worked out that way – the closest coming last season when they fell at the last hurdle against Bayern Munich.
Injuries haven’t helped Neymar’s cause, and he is said to be hankering for a move away to add another Champions League medal to accompany the one he won at Barcelona in 2015.
A second Champions League winners’ medal has eluded Neymar since leaving BarcelonaCredit: AFP or licensors
CLAUDIO BRAVO
Manchester City (AUGUST 2016)
The Chilean shotstopper made 75 appearances in three seasons with Barcelona.
However, in his final year Marc-Andre ter Stegen was preferred and Bravo was dropped.
He joined Guardiola at Manchester City in a £17million deal, but from his debut against Manchester United when he made a gaffe to gift City’s rivals a goal he received widespread criticism.
Bravo has since joined Real Betis, where he’s trying to rebuild his career.
Chilean shotstopper Claudio Bravo appeared 75 times for Barcelona in three seasonsCredit: EPA
BOJAN
Roma (JULY 2011)
When Bojan arrived on the scene at Barcelona he was touted as the next wonderkid to rule the Nou Camp for years to come.
He even broke Messi’s record of youngest player to ever feature in a LaLiga game at 17 years and 19 days.
But after finding himself frozen out the team with the likes of David Villa, Pedro and Messi preferred, he was sold to Roma.
There were loans at Milan and Ajax that failed to bring out the best in Bojan before he moved to Stoke and continued to flatter to deceive.
Today, he plays for Montreal Impact in MLS.
Bojan broke Messi’s record of youngest ever player to appear in La Liga for BarcelonaCredit: Reuters
VICTOR VALDES
Manchester United (JANUARY 2015)
Another former Barcelona goalkeeper, Valdes was part of the Barcelona side that swept all before them.
He played 535 games for the club, winning LaLiga six times and three Champions League titles.
But when his contract expired in 2014, he decided he wanted a new challenge and signed for Manchester United.
There he played just twice, suffering the indignity of being loaned out to Standard Liege.
Victor Valdes won six La Liga titles at BarcelonaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
HRISTO STOICHKOV
Parma (JULY 1995)
The Bulgarian legend won the Ballon d’Or as a Barcelona player in 1994.
Recognised for his bullish style, he scored goals for fun – 108 in 214 games in all competitions for the Spanish giants.
He helped the club win four LaLiga titles in a row, as well as the European Cup in 1991 in one of the greatest periods for the Catalans.
But he was sold to ambitious Parma for £10million in 1995, where he struggled for form – scoring only seven times in 30 games.
He returned to Barcelona a year later, however he was a shadow of his former self.
Hristo Stoichkov is an all-time great at Barcelona, but he flopped when he left for ParmaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
DECO
Chelsea (JUNE 2008)
The Portuguese playmaker was a cult figure at Barcelona after signing from Porto.
He was runner-up to Andriy Shevchenko for the 2004 Ballon d’Or, and named Barca’s player of the season for 2004-05.
A year later, Deco helped his team win the Champions League – winning the Uefa Best Midfielder Award.
However, the wheels fell off when he left for Chelsea for £8million, especially when boss Luiz Felipe Scolari was sacked and Deco was dropped for his poor form.
Deco won the Champions League with Barcelona in 2006Credit: AFP
PATRICK KLUIVERT
Newcastle United (JULY 2004)
In 1998, Kluivert began his love affair with Barcelona – rejoining his old mentor Louis van Gaal, who gave him his debut at Ajax.
And he was top scorer for the club for three of the six seasons he spent in Spain.
But in 2004 Kluivert tried his hand at the Premier League and moved to Newcastle.
In truth, he struggled and scored just six times in the league before he was released on a free after one season.
Patrick Kluivert never rediscovered his goalscoring form once he left BarcelonaCredit: AP:Associated Press
Lionel Messi arrives home in Argentina for the holidays ahead of transfer speculation
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
