'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has bid farewell to his former team mate Pedro after the 28-year-old completed his move to Chelsea on Thursday.
The Spaniard joined the Blues on a four-year-deal for a fee of 21m after spending 11 years with the Catalan club. Initially, Pedro was linked with a move to the Old Trafford as Manchester United were in pole position to acquire his services. But Jose Mourinho’s side sneaked into the picture late on and sealed a deal with the winger thus putting an end to month-long transfer saga.
And Messi, who has played alongside Pedro for more than a decade in the Blaugrana ranks, wished him good luck as he will embark upon a new journey in the Premier League. The Argentine took his thoughts to Facebook as he posted the following message on his official account.
"We've shared really great moments in together over the years," Messi wrote. "Good luck in the new chapter of your life, Pedro!"
Han sido años llenos de muy lindos momentos juntos... ¡Mucha suerte en tu nueva etapa Pedro!We've shared really great moments together over the years. Good luck in this new chapter of your life, Pedro!- LIO
Posted by Leo Messi on Thursday, August 20, 2015
Pedro joined Barcelona’s C team in 2005 and broke into the senior squad three years later in 2008. Since then the Spanish international has won 20 trophies in total with the La Liga giants including three Champions League medals, five La Liga titles and three Copa Del Rey trophies.
He has scored 99 goals in a total of 321 official appearances for the La Liga giants. Pedro’s most notable contributions include the opener against Manchester United in the 2010/11 Champions League final in Barcelona’s 3-1 win over the English side. Recently, the winger scored the extra-time winning goal in Barca’s 5-4 victory against Sevilla in the UEFA Supercup.
After his transfer was confirmed, his former club Barca released a tribute video thanking him for his valuable contributions over the years and wishing him luck for his new chapter with Chelsea.
Pedro’s chances to feature in the starting XI diminished with time especially after the arrival of Luis Suarez last season from Liverpool. The trio of Messi Suarez and Neymar scored a whopping 122 goals last season and were practically unstoppable in their quest to demolish oppositions.
And their flawless performances meant less playing time for Pedro who found himself starting from the bench on most occasions. Due to decreasing minutes on the pitch, the long-time servant of the Catalan outfit had to weigh up his options for a change and move to newer pastures to gain more playing time.
