Barcelona midfielder Pedri has called on the Catalan club to give Lionel Messi a memorable farewell, describing the Argentine superstar as the greatest footballer in history.

According to a report by Barca Universal on Friday, October 23, 2026, the Spanish international believes Messi deserves special recognition for his extraordinary achievements and contributions during his time at Barcelona.

Messi departed Barcelona in 2021 after the club failed to renew his contract because of financial restrictions imposed by La Liga. However, five years after his exit, the legendary forward is yet to receive an official farewell ceremony or testimonial match from the club.

Pedri, who shared the pitch with Messi during the 2020/21 campaign, expressed his admiration for the former Barcelona captain during an interview with DSports.

“Messi is the greatest player ever in this club. For me, Leo Messi is the greatest player of all time,” the midfielder said.

The 23-year-old also stressed that Barcelona should organise a fitting farewell for the Argentine, considering everything he achieved during his remarkable career at the club.

“For me, Leo Messi deserves a big farewell,” Pedri added.

The Spanish midfielder further admitted that playing alongside Messi was a special experience, although he regretted that their time together lasted only one season.

“I was lucky enough to play with Messi, but only for one year. It felt too short… I would have loved to play alongside him for much longer,” he explained.

Messi remains Barcelona’s all-time leading goalscorer, having registered 672 goals in 778 competitive appearances across 17 seasons with the first team. He also helped the club win 35 trophies, including 10 La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League crowns.

His individual honours include eight Ballon d’Or awards, six European Golden Shoes and eight Pichichi trophies. The Argentine also holds the remarkable record of scoring 91 goals in a calendar year in 2012.

Despite his legendary status, Messi’s departure from Barcelona remains a sensitive issue. He joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 after the Spanish club confirmed that financial regulations prevented them from registering his new contract.

Meanwhile, reports suggest that Barcelona have yet to make concrete plans for an official farewell, with tensions between Messi and club president Joan Laporta reportedly contributing to the situation.

Laporta has previously expressed his willingness to honour the former captain when the renovated Spotify Camp Nou is ready.

Messi’s recent appearance in Oviedo to receive the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports has also renewed discussions about his legacy and his relationship with Barcelona.