Messi gone but not forgotten as Barcelona wins league opener

By TALES AZZONI
AP Sports Writer

MADRID (AP) — The post-Lionel Messi era has begun for Barcelona with fans chanting his name in the stands and players overcoming his absence on the field. Barcelona’s first season without Messi in 17 years started with a 4-2 win over Real Sociedad in the Spanish league. Many in the limited crowd of about 20,000 at the Camp Nou Stadium paid tribute to the Argentine star and protested against the club for letting him go. The majority of fans loudly chanted Messi’s name in the 10th minute in a reference to the No. 10 jersey he used to wear. Many fans were wearing or carrying Messi’s jersey.