Messi also praises Xavi: "We've missed you since the day you decided to leave."

"It was a pleasure to share a dressing room with you, @Xavi, many years and many experiences together, and the truth is that we have missed you from the first day you decided to go, beacause of everything you helped us with on the court and out of it. You know that I wish you the best in the new stage of your life that now begins. I'm sure you'll continue to achieve success in everything you set out to do in the world of football. A big hug," said the Argentinian's message.

Xavi Hernandez announced on Thursday that he has decided to hang up his boots as a footballer at the end of this year's stage with Al-Sadd SC of Catar, and has announced that he will undertake a new role as a coach.

Xavi was one of the great partners Messi played with, and together they won dozens of titles in Barcelona.

To illustrate his message of support in the account of Instagram, Messi put a photograph in which he celebrates a goal in the Camp Nou with Xavi.