Bhavishya Mittal is a tennis author for EssentiallySports, who is currently pursuing his Bachelor's degree in Journalism from Manipal University. A former sports editor for The Manipal Journal, Bhavishya has also worked for The New Indian Express. He has a keen eye for many sports but he is a particularly ardent follower of tennis, with a zest to create riveting articles on the ever-evolving sport. Bhavishya admires the fast and grueling nature of 21st-century tennis with him considering Roger Federer a standout performer.

Bhavishya Mittal

Tennis

“Best Player Ever”: Andy Murray Eager to See Lionel Messi Joining Premier League

https://www.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/es_logo-removebg-preview.png

EssentiallySports

BeFunky-collage (12) - EssentiallySports

Home

&#8220;It&#8217;s Going to Be Sad&#8221;: Victoria Azarenka Opens up on Reports of Lionel Messi Leaving FC Barcelona

BeFunky-collage (12)

https://www.staging.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/BeFunky-collage-12-1.jpg

https://www.facebook.com/essentiallysports

https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/20200827172114/BeFunky-collage-12-1-560x294.jpg

twitter:card

twitter:site

Bhavishya Mittal is a tennis author for EssentiallySports, who is currently
pursuing his Bachelor's degree in Journalism from Manipal University. A former
sports editor for The Manipal Journal, Bhavishya has also worked for The New
Indian Express. He has a keen eye for many sports but he is a particularly
ardent follower of tennis, with a zest to create riveting articles on the
ever-evolving sport. Bhavishya admires the fast and grueling nature of
21st-century tennis with him considering Roger Federer a standout performer.

https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Bhavishya_Mittal.png

strong

title

An avid FC Barcelona fan, Victoria Azarenka spoke about Lionel Messi and his desire to leave the club he has played for all along.

description

link

"It's Going to Be Sad": Victoria Azarenka Opens up on Reports of Lionel Messi Leaving FC Barcelona - EssentiallySports

https://www.essentiallysports.com/its-going-to-be-sad-victoria-azarenka-opens-up-on-the-reports-of-lionel-messi-leaving-fc-barcelona-wta-tennis-news/

twitter:creator

twitter:label1

twitter:data1

https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/20200827172114/BeFunky-collage-12-1.jpg

script

FC Barcelona

<h3><strong>Lionel Messi</strong></h3>
Argentine striker Lionel Messi is regarded as one of the best ever footballers of his generation. His level of skill is par excellence with that of rival Cristiano Ronaldo. In 2021, the 34-year-old is set to feature for French giants Paris Saint-Germain and is worth nearly $600 million.

It may seem hard to believe that someone who was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency as a child would become a football sensation, but Messi was undoubtedly saved by his athletic abilities with the ball at his feet.

Messi's career hasn't been all laurels, unfortunately. He was heavily involved in a <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/07/sports/soccer/lionel-messi-taxes-prison-suspended.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tax fraud case</a> in 2013. Offshore companies in tax havens Uruguay and Belize were used to evade €4.1 million in taxes. This was in relation to sponsorship earnings between 2007 and 2009.

A company in Panama was identified as belonging to the Messi family in the <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/business/new-panama-papers-leak-reveals-offshore-secrets-of-lionel-messi-1.3537731" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Panama Papers</a> data leak. Messi pleaded ignorance of the alleged scheme, voluntarily paid arrears of €5.1 million in August 2013.

On 6 July 2016, Messi and his father were both found guilty of tax fraud and were handed suspended 21-month prison sentences and respectively ordered to pay €1.7 million and €1.4 million in fines.

[caption id="attachment_734469" align="alignnone" width="1920"]<img class="size-full wp-image-734469" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1333916410.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1280" /> PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 13: Lionel Messi warms up during a Paris Saint-Germain training session at Ooredoo Center on August 13, 2021 in Paris, France. (Photo by Aurelien Meunier - PSG/PSG via Getty Images)[/caption]
<h3><strong>On-pitch </strong><b>Achievements</b></h3>
The Argentine made his debut with the Spanish giants FC Barcelona in 2003. Before his professional debut with the club at the age of 18, Messi honed his skills with the revered youth academy, the '<em>La Masia.'</em>

Interestingly, he almost left the club in 2005. As it turned out, Serie A side, Juventus wanted to get him on a loan. Their rivals, Inter Milan, wanted to straight up buy him and were even willing to shell out money for his $150 million release clause. But in the end, he elected to stay with Barca.

Messi has helped Barcelona to the La Liga title on ten occasions. He has also clinched the Copa del Rey six times and the Champions League four times.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-702264" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Lionel-Messi-Copa-America.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />

In terms of international trophies, Messi guided Argentina to the U-20 World Cup glory in 2005. In 2008, he also helped the 'Albiceleste' to an Olympic gold.

His long wait for International silverware finally came to an end in 2021 when he led the South American giants to a Copa America victory over rivals and record world champions Brazil as they beat them 1-0 in the Finals. He is the third highest active goalscorer in the world right now, only behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Indian striker Sunil Chhetri.

[caption id="attachment_734461" align="alignnone" width="1920"]<img class="size-full wp-image-734461" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1234577406.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1279" /> BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 08: (EDITOR'S NOTE: Alternate crop) Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona faces the media during a press conference at Nou Camp on August 08, 2021 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)[/caption]

While he captained the Blaugranes, from 2018, the Spanish giants failed to keep their talismanic forward with the club. In 2021, while the Argentine and Barcelona had an agreement on a contract, Financial Fair Play rules meant that signing Messi would be a breach of the code of conduct.

This meant that the Spanish giants lost Messi, who understandably was distraught leaving his boyhood club.

Eventually, the Argentine ended up signing a new contract with French giants Paris Saint-Germain. Joining former teammate Neymar Jr. and other stars like Kylian Mbappe and Angel di Maria, Messi now joins a loaded PSG side who looks like a team on a mission.

The 6-time Ballon D'or winner is entering a new phase of his career and will be wearing a different team's jersey for the first time in the last 21-years. PSG might be the perfect place for the Argentine to thrive who will look to add to his ever-increasing trophy cabinet.

[caption id="attachment_734464" align="alignnone" width="1920"]<img class="size-full wp-image-734464" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1333570929.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1280" /> PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 11: Lionel Messi poses with his jersey next to President Nasser Al Khelaifi after the press conference of Paris Saint-Germain at Parc des Princes on August 11, 2021 in Paris, France. (Photo by Sebastien Muylaert/Getty Images)[/caption]
<h3><strong>Lionel Messi’s Net Worth, Salary and Endorsement</strong></h3>
Currently, the highest paid soccer player, along with his impressive endorsement deals, he was ranked by Forbes as the highest-paid athlete in the world in 2021. As mentioned before, he is reportedly worth $600 million.

Messi averages an equivalent of about $41 million a year in this contract - or $854,000 a week.
<h3><strong>Foundations and Charity Work</strong></h3>
Messi has been involved in charitable efforts aimed at vulnerable children. His commitment stems from the medical difficulties he faced in his own childhood. Since 2004, he has contributed his time and finances to UNICEF. The organisation has a strong association with FC Barcelona. Messi has even served as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador since his appointment in March 2010.

Messi founded his own charitable organisation, the Leo Messi Foundation, which supports access to health care, education, and sport for children.
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Age</strong></td>
<td width="319">34</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Height</strong></td>
<td width="319">1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Marital Status</strong></td>
<td width="319">Married</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Spouse</strong></td>
<td width="319">Antonella Roccuzzo</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Residence</strong></td>
<td width="319">Castelldefels</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Nationality</strong></td>
<td width="319">Argentina</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Teams</strong></td>
<td width="319">Argentina, Barcelona C, Barcelona B, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Endorsements</strong></td>
<td width="319">Gatorade, Adidas, Huawei, Lay's, Mastercard, Pepsi, Hawkers, Gatorade, Ooredoo</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Lionel Messi

<h3><strong>Victoria Azarenka 2021: Net Worth, Salary and Endorsement</strong></h3>
Belarusian tennis player Victoria Azarenka is a former WTA World Number one. She turned pro back in 2003.

[caption id="attachment_482807" align="alignnone" width="1920"]<img class="size-full wp-image-482807" src="https://www.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1272812055.jpg" alt="Victoria Axarenka" width="1920" height="1280" /> ROME, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 16: Victoria Azarenka of Belarus celebrates in her round one match against Venus Williams of The United States during day three of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia at Foro Italico on September 16, 2020 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Riccardo Antimiani - Pool/Getty Images)[/caption]

After the 2017 Wimbledon, Victoria Azarenka and her then-boyfriend, Billy McKeague, were involved in a dispute over the custody of their son Leo.

As a result of the long custody battle, her tennis career took a backseat. She was even forced to withdraw from all tournaments in 2017.
<h3><strong>On-court Achievements</strong></h3>
As mentioned before, Victoria Azarenka is a former World Number one. She is also a two-time <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/tennis/australian-open/">Australian Open</a> champion, having won in 2012 and 2013.

With regard to the <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/tennis/french-open-2019/">French Open</a> and Wimbledon, her best results there have been semifinal runs. However, Victoria Azarenka is also a three-time finalist at the US Open, with the most recent appearance in 2020.

In both her first two finalist appearances in New York, she lost to <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/serena-williams/">Serena Williams</a>. In 2020, she lost to <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/naomi-osaka/">Naomi Osaka</a>.

Victoria Azarenka has 21 WTA titles in all, with 10 coming from WTA Premier and Premier 5 tournaments. Nine came from WTA Tour tournaments.

After her maternity hiatus, she reached the Wimbledon mixed doubles final. She won a doubles title at <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/tennis/italian-open/">Italian Open</a> 2019, where she teamed up with <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/ashleigh-barty/">Ash Barty</a>.

Azarenka and Barty also reached the US Open doubles final. Also, she reached the singles finals in Monterrey that year.


<h3>Azarenka's form leading up to the 2021 season</h3>
The 2020 season saw Azarenka's resurgence in tennis post the WTA Tour's resumption after the hiatus. She won the Western and Southern Open, and extended her run to the US Open final, defeating Serena Williams in the semi-final. In the final, she won the first set but lost the match to Naomi Osaka.

She also reached the Rome Masters quarter-final, defeating Sofia Kenin 6-0, 6-0 at the event.

Azarenka ended her season with a final at the Ostrava Open. The Belarusian star is currently at no. 13 in the WTA rankings.

[caption id="attachment_422862" align="alignnone" width="1920"]<img class="size-full wp-image-422862" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/20201025203227/2020-09-27T110446Z_80845271_UP1EG9R0URYU1_RTRMADP_3_TENNIS-FRENCHOPEN-1.jpg" alt="Victoria Azarenka at French Open 2020" width="1920" height="1263" /> Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - September 27, 2020 Belarus' Victoria Azarenka in action during her first round match against Montenegro's Danka Kovinic. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann[/caption]
<h3>Victoria Azarenka: Net worth 2021</h3>
Azarenka has earned $32,347,288 worth of prize-money over the course of her career so far. She has an <a href="https://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-athletes/richest-tennis/victoria-azarenka-net-worth/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">estimated</a> net worth of $20 million.
<h3><b><strong>Victoria Azarenka's </strong>Endorsements 2021</b></h3>
In August 2013, Azarenka was the fourth highest-paid female athlete according to Forbes. Vika had total earnings of $15.7 million between 2012–2013.

The Belarussian has been endorsed by <strong>Nike, Wilson, American Express, Citizen Watch, Six Star Pro Nutrition, Red Bull, InstaForex,</strong> and others.
<h3><strong>Foundation and Charity Work</strong></h3>
Like most of her rivals and contemporaries, Azarenka has played various exhibition matches for charity. One charity that she supports is the fight against gender violence.
<h3>How to contact Victoria Azarenka?</h3>
<strong>Twitter</strong> - <a href="https://twitter.com/vika7?s=17" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">@vika7</a>

<strong>Instagram</strong> - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/vichka35/?hl=en">Victoria Azarenka </a>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Age</strong></td>
<td width="319">31</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Marital Status</strong></td>
<td width="319">Single</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Spouse</strong></td>
<td width="319">None</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Residence</strong></td>
<td width="319">Manhattan Beach, California</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Nationality</strong></td>
<td width="319">Belarusian</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Endorsements</strong></td>
<td width="319">Nike, Wilson, American Express, Citizen Watch, Red Bull, Six Star Pro Nutrition</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

“It’s Going to Be Sad”: Victoria Azarenka Opens up on Reports of Lionel Messi Leaving FC Barcelona

“It’s been monumental to have Lionel Messi in Barcelona” – Victoria Azarenka

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :