Lionel Messi Honors Tito Vilanova on 10th Anniversary of His Passing

Written By : Leah De-Graft Takyi

On the 10th anniversary of Tito Vilanova’s death, Lionel Messi took a moment to pay tribute to his former coach, who played a significant role in his career at Barcelona.

Vilanova, who passed away on April 25, 2014 after battling cancer, was a beloved figure at Barcelona. He served as an assistant coach for four years before taking over as head coach in 2012 following Pep Guardiola’s departure. Under Vilanova’s leadership, Barcelona won the La Liga title in the 2012-13 season, setting a new league record with 100 points.

Despite facing health challenges, Vilanova continued to support his players until the end. Jordi Roura, Vilanova’s former assistant, revealed that the coach played a crucial role in convincing Messi to stay at Barcelona just days before his passing.

“Tito was at a delicate stage and Leo wasn’t convinced about his continuity,” Roura said in a 2019 interview. “They spent hours talking, and Messi decided to stay. We hope that he will for many more years.”

Messi’s tribute to Vilanova on social media reflects the impact the coach had on his career and personal life. The Argentine superstar expressed his gratitude and remembrance, saying, “10 years already, we won’t forget you Tito.”

Following Vilanova’s passing, Messi continued to play for Barcelona for two more years before moving on to Paris Saint-Germain and eventually joining Inter Miami. However, the influence of Vilanova’s guidance and support during their time together at Barcelona will always be remembered by Messi and fans alike.