Thousands of fans expressed their frustration after Lionel Messi left FC Barcelona this week over a salary dispute. 

Among these fans was Messi’s Egyptian lookalike, Islam Battah.

Battah said that Barcelona will experience a great loss as the football player and international star changes course.

“I would have hoped that Messi would have stayed in Barcelona,” said Battah.

“Barcelona is Messi."

Battah is a 27-year-old painter from the town of Zagazig in Egypt’s Sharqia governorate.

Thursday, FC Barcelona announced that Lionel Messi is leaving the club after “financial and structural obstacles” made it impossible to renew his contract.

Messi, who has spent his whole career in the club, had been expected to resign after his deal expired in June.

“Despite FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi having reached an agreement and the clear intention of both parties to sign a new contract today, this cannot happen because of financial and structural obstacles (Spanish Liga regulations),” the club said.

“As a result of this situation, Messi shall not be staying on at FC Barcelona. Both parties deeply regret that the wishes of the player and the club will ultimately not be fulfilled.”

“FC Barcelona wholeheartedly expresses its gratitude to the player for his contribution to the aggrandisement of the club and wishes him all the very best for the future in his personal and professional life.”