Several of Lionel Messi’s former teammates are now out of contract and looking for new clubs.
1. Sergi Roberto
Lionel Messi wrote on Instagram after the news of Sergi Roberto leaving Barcelona emerged: “ Good luck on your new journey! All the best, Sergi Roberto !”
Roberto was never the most talented of the La Masia academy graduates, but he was a dedicated servant to the club and often useful when coming off the bench. Roberto can boast of the winning goal against PSG.
He has made nearly 400 appearances for his boyhood club. The future of the 32-year-old remains to be seen, with West Ham United and Aston Villa both interested in signing him.
Roberto used to play alongside Messi at Barca.
2. Andres Iniesta
Six years have passed since the legendary midfielder left Barcelona, he is now in his forties and has yet to hang up his boots, having spent five years in Japan with Vissel Kobe and earning a lucrative salary at UAE club Emirates FC.
Iniesta has remained tight-lipped about his next move, although he has stated his desire to move into coaching and one day return to Barcelona. Incredibly, there have even been rumours that Iniesta could be heading to an obscure club in the Championship.
3. Rafinha
Thiago Alcantara’s younger brother – who chose to follow in his father Mazinho’s footsteps by representing Brazil – has fallen out of the limelight in recent years, never establishing himself as a regular starter at Barcelona, having been sent out on loan and struggling with injuries.
Raphinha is only 31, but has spent the last few seasons playing for Qatari club Al-Arabi. At this point, it is unclear whether any European clubs are interested in the former Barca star, but a move to MLS or elsewhere in the Middle East would not be surprising.
4. Sergio Ramos
Ramos made a romantic return to Sevilla after leaving PSG with Messi last summer. His second spell at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan wasn’t exactly a dream – Sevilla crashed out of the Champions League in the group stages, fell into a relegation battle and finished mid-table.
Now 38, Ramos has announced he will leave Sevilla again. He certainly won’t be short of options. There are rumours of “advanced talks” with an unnamed MLS club but Ramos could be headed to the Saudi Pro League.
5. Andre Gomes
The Portuguese midfielder, who made 68 appearances alongside Messi for Barcelona, was a somewhat confusing signing but won the Copa del Rey and La Liga in his two seasons in Catalonia before moving to Everton.
Gomes has played for Barca.
After five years at Everton, Gomes is now free to rebuild his career elsewhere, having made 14 appearances and scored twice for Sean Dyche’s side last season, still only 31.
Gomes appears set to return to his native Portugal or opt for a mid-table club in La Liga or Serie A.
6. Claudio Bravo
Another ageing player refusing to retire, Bravo is looking for his next challenge after leaving Real Betis in the summer. Bravo won back-to-back La Liga titles with Messi in his two years at Barcelona
LA Galaxy, the team that just signed Marco Reus, are among the clubs that have expressed interest in signing the 41-year-old.
