International footballer Lionel Messi sent a heartfelt message to his former Barcelona fellow Cesc Fabregas after announcing his retirement from football.
“You already know all the good things we think of both you and your family. You are a crack and we are going to continue spending many moments together,” Messi wrote on Instagram.
He added: “We love you very much and we wish you all the best in your new stage friend!!! Big hug.”
Messi and Fabregas shared the pitch 123 times during their time at Barcelona and combined in 26 goals.
On his part, Fabregas said about his retirement: “It is with great sadness that the time has come for me to hang up my playing boots. From my first days at Barca, Arsenal, Barca again, Chelsea, Monaco, and Como, I will treasure them all.”
The statement continued: “From lifting the World Cup, and the Euros, to winning everything in England and Spain and nearly all the European trophies, it has been a journey that I’ll never forget.”
