Lionel Messi, the football magician who has brought joy to millions, wasn’t always having fun at Barcelona towards the end of his time there.
Sergino Dest, the USMNT star, opened up about the moment the Argentine legend lost his spark at Camp Nou.
Dest, who shared the pitch with Messi at Barcelona, recently revealed in an interview with SPORT the approximate point in time that Messi’s once playful demeanor began to fade.
"There was a good atmosphere in the dressing room the first year, he made jokes," Dest said, "then that changed, and that feeling of fun was lost a bit."
MORE: All the latest soccer action | Lionel Messi news
Dest: Atmosphere changed before Messi left Barcelona
Messi's departure from Barcelona in 2021 shocked the football world. A player who seemed destined to finish his career at Camp Nou was forced to leave due to financial struggles at the club.
With 10 La Liga titles, four Champions League trophies, and countless unforgettable moments, Messi’s time at Barcelona was nothing short of legendary.
But by the time he left, even the GOAT wasn’t smiling as much. Dest, who joined Barcelona in 2020, noticed the shift in Messi’s mood.
Fans knew something wasn’t right when Messi teared up during his farewell speech, but the American full-back's comments now confirm that the fun had dried up for the Argentine star long before that.
Now, Messi is making waves in the MLS with Inter Miami, adding even more trophies to his legendary career.
READ MORE: Guardiola picks one definitive GOAT from Messi, Pele and Maradona
At 37, the Argentine icon continues to inspire with his brilliance, but the days of cracking jokes in the Barcelona dressing room seem like a distant memory.
As for Dest, he’s moved on to PSV, but the memories of playing alongside Messi are unforgettable.
"You see him on YouTube, in video games... and suddenly he's there, in front of you, there was a good atmosphere in the dressing room the first year, he made jokes... then that changed and that feeling of fun was lost a bit." Dest said, reflecting on his surreal experience.
Though he’s now in the Eredivisie, Dest isn’t ruling out a return to La Liga someday, hoping to reach the highest levels of European football once again.
Messi’s legacy in Barcelona will forever be golden, but even the brightest stars can lose their glow when the weight of the world — or a club — becomes too much to bear.
