The USMNT star expresses dismay over the departure of his ex-Argentine teammate but suggests the club will move on.
Sergino Dest admits he was “shocked” to see Lionel Messi join Paris Saint-Germain and that his absence at FC Barcelona “just feels weird.”
Messi was set to sign a contract extension with Barcelona but an unexpected turn of events saw him put an end to his over two-decade-long association with the Blaugrana.
The record six-time Ballon d’Or winner wasted no time in choosing his new destination as he committed to a two-year contract at Paris Saint-Germain, becoming the Ligue 1 giants’ fifth signing of this summer.
“I was shocked a little bit because everyone wanted him to stay at the club,” Dest told ESPN of Messi’s departure from Camp Nou.
“He’s the best player in the world. It was a shock for everyone. We wish he could have stayed. Unfortunately, he couldn’t.
“We’ve got some work to do because with Messi it is easier, he’s the best player in the world. But I think if we play collectively and keep the chemistry high, we can achieve a lot.
“At the training ground and on the pitch, you see unbelievable things. You see how he scores those goals. What you see on the pitch is the same, even when you’re that close. It’s unbelievable to see him like that.
“We all have him in our hearts. It’s Messi. It just feels weird because he played for so long at this club, almost his whole life, and suddenly he had to leave. But we have to focus on the new season.”
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