Who Did Barcelona Sell This Summer?
As the summer transfer window came to a close, Barcelona made several significant player sales. Let’s take a closer look at the key departures from the club.
Lionel Messi
Undoubtedly, the most notable departure from Barcelona was their talismanic captain, Lionel Messi.
After spending his entire professional career at the club, Messi left due to financial constraints that prevented Barcelona from registering his contract. This shocking turn of events saw Messi join Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), leaving behind an incredible legacy at Camp Nou.
Luis Suárez
Another high-profile exit was striker Luis Suárez, who joined Atlético Madrid. Despite being one of Barcelona’s all-time leading scorers, Suárez was deemed surplus to requirements by new manager Ronald Koeman. The Uruguayan forward quickly found a new home in Madrid and has continued to showcase his goal-scoring prowess.
Nelson Semedo
Right-back Nelson Semedo also departed Barcelona during the summer transfer window. He joined Wolverhampton Wanderers in the English Premier League.
Semedo had shown promise during his time at Camp Nou but struggled to cement his place in the starting lineup consistently. His move to Wolves provided him with a fresh challenge and an opportunity for regular first-team football.
Ivan Rakitić
Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitić bid farewell to Barcelona and returned to his former club, Sevilla FC. Rakitić had enjoyed success at Barcelona, winning multiple domestic and international titles during his six-year spell with the Catalan giants. However, with limited playing time in his final season, he made the decision to rejoin Sevilla and add more silverware to his collection.
Arturo Vidal
Arturo Vidal, known for his tenacity and energy in midfield, left Barcelona to join Inter Milan. The Chilean international had spent two seasons at Camp Nou but struggled to consistently replicate his previous form. Vidal’s move to Inter Milan marked a reunion with coach Antonio Conte, under whom he had experienced success at Juventus.
Other Departures
In addition to the aforementioned players, Barcelona also offloaded a few others during the transfer window. These include Carles Aleñá (loaned to Getafe), Jean-Clair Todibo (sold to OGC Nice), and Konrad de la Fuente (transferred to Marseille). While these departures may not have generated as much attention as Messi’s exit, they still represent significant changes within the squad.
Conclusion
The summer transfer window saw Barcelona part ways with several notable players. The departure of Lionel Messi undoubtedly stole the headlines and marked the end of an era for the club.
However, other key players like Luis Suárez, Nelson Semedo, Ivan Rakitić, and Arturo Vidal also left Barcelona for new challenges. As the team undergoes a period of transition, it remains to be seen how these departures will impact their future.