Football icons and longtime rivals Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo joined Spanish sports stars around the world in expressing their grief after Thursday’s terror attack in Barcelona left 13 people dead.
Barcelona’s most famous street Las Ramblas was packed with tourists when a van drove into the crowds, leaving scenes of carnage.
“I want to send my condolences and all my support to the families and friends of the victims of the terrible attack in our beloved Barcelona, in addition to totally rejecting any act of violence,” Barcelona star Messi, 30, wrote on Instagram.
“We are not going to give up, there are many more of us who want to live in a world in peace, without hate and where respect and tolerance are the basis of coexistence,” added the Argentine who arrived in the Catalan capital as a teenager 14 years ago.
Real Madrid’s Portuguese captain Ronaldo took to social media to express his shock at the attack which also left more than 50 injured.
“Dismayed at the news coming from Barcelona. All the support and solidarity (to) the family and friends of the victims,” he wrote on Twitter.
Like Ronaldo and Messi, other athletes took to social network in an outpouring of solidarity with the Catalan capital.
Todos consternados por lo que ha pasado y las noticias que siguen saliendo desde nuestra ciudad. Todo mi cariño. pic.twitter.com/CIhEKncx4A
— Andrés Iniesta (@andresiniesta8) August 17, 2017
Very shocked for what happened in Barcelona. All my support to the city and families! pic.twitter.com/YDtyAiw7Qc
— Luis Suarez (@LuisSuarez9) August 17, 2017
Sad and horrified by the tragic events that took place today at the #Ramblas of #Barcelona.
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) August 17, 2017
All my support to the victims and their families during these incredibly tough times. #Barcelona
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) August 17, 2017
Deeply saddened by the attack on our city. All our thoughts are with the victims, their families and with the people of Barcelona.
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 17, 2017
Triste demais ver as notícias que chegam de #Barcelona. Meu apoio e solidariedade para as vítimas e famílias. 🙏
— Ronaldinho Gaúcho (@10Ronaldinho) August 17, 2017
Que Deus conforte todas as famílias 🙏🏻😢😪😭 #PrayForBarcelona te quiero BARCELONA pic.twitter.com/EFv1mvT0pD
— Neymar Jr (@neymarjr) August 17, 2017
Consternado com as notícias que chegam de Barcelona. Todo o apoio e solidariedade a família e amigos das vítimas.
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) August 17, 2017
Thoughts are with everyone in Barcelona tonight 🙏🏼
— Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11) August 17, 2017