JAKARTA - Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta said it would be "painful" to see Lionel Messi wearing another club's shirt after the Argentine officially joined Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
"It would be painful to see him wearing another team's shirt. Leo symbolizes Barcelona. He is everything, he is a player who transcends the team. I've never seen a player like him and I don't think I'll ever see him," Iniesta told AFP.
Messi has agreed a two-year contract with PSG, ending his 21-year career with Barcelona after the Spanish club were unable to sign him this summer.
Iniesta is one of millions of Barca fans who are heartbroken by Messi's departure. The Spanish midfielder said his former team-mate represented everything that was great about Barcelona.
"I don't know what happened internally, or how things are going, but the club needs to recover and bounce back from this transfer," Iniesta said.
"(Barcelona) will continue to be one of the best teams, one that has to be at the top."
Iniesta, who now plays for Japanese club Vissel Kobe, was a member of the Barcelona squad for more than 20 years.
During his time with the club, Iniesta has won nine La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies.
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