The departure of Lionel Messi in the American MLS league marked the end of a great football era in Europe.

Christiano Ronaldo took the first step when he swapped his Manchester United shirt for Saudi Arabia's Al Nasr, followed by the retirement of Gareth Bale, and in the last few days, the great era of European football in the 21st century officially ended, as Zlatan Ibrahimovic finished his career, and Messi left Europe, Sergio Busquets, Karim Benzema.

French striker Benzema has decided to leave Real Madrid and sign a contract with Al Ittihad to the surprise of many. The motive was certainly money, and in Saudi Arabia he will earn an astronomical 220.000.000 euros in two seasons. It was followed by him Ngolo Kante who received 100.000.000 in one year.

Messi ended a great era, although there are still representatives of their generation in Europe. The Argentinian parted company with PSG, there was an offer from Barcelona and Al Hilal on the table, but he decided to go to the United States and sign a contract with Inter from Miami.

Messi spent his entire career in Europe, mostly in the Barcelona jersey, and in the last two seasons in Paris Saint-Germain, he won a total of 38 trophies! In addition, he won the "Golden Ball" seven times.

Speaking of Benzema, the French goalscorer spent his career playing for Olympique Lyonnais and Real Madrid and during that time he managed to win 32 trophies and one Ballon d'Or.

It is clear that these are two players who won a handful of trophies during their careers in Europe, and if you add to that the fact that Bale and Ibrahimovic retired with a lot of trophies, and Ronaldo who opted for Saudi Arabia, it is clear that one a great era is at an end or has already ended.