The pair came through the youth ranks together at Camp Nou and struck a firm friendship on and off the field
Cesc Fabregas shared the touching - and rather embarrassing - story of his first encounter with Lionel Messi as he paid tribute to the soon-to-be ex-Barcelona idol.
The Catalans announced this week that Messi, 34, would not be continuing at Camp Nou due to La Liga salary restrictions which make renewing his contract impossible.
And Fabregas, who came up with the Argentine at La Masia, took the opportunity to say farewell to his former team-mate, who has written himself into club history over the past decade.