Barcelona captain, Lionel Messi, has formally parted ways with the Spanish giants. At a farewell news conference on Sunday, Messi said he did all he could to stay in Barcelona but it just did not work.
Messi, who became a free agent at the end of June 2021 said he was assured that he would stay and was planning to return for pre-season training after the holidays.
“My family and I were convinced we were going to stay at home. We thought we’d be staying here in Barcelona. But today, we have to say goodbye to all of this.”
Messi was overwhelmed with emotions, breaking down in tears with his teammates giving him standing applause as he struggled to contain his emotions. He said he had wished he said his goodbyes with the fans at the Camp Nou. “I’ve given my all from the first day to the last. One day I hope to come back. I promise that to my kids. I want to help this club to be the best.”
Although various media reports said Messi is close to joining his former teammate Neymar in PSG, the Argentine did not directly disclose where he will be playing next season. He however said he has been receiving loads of phone calls since the press release by Barcelona last Thursday stating that the club will be unable to register him due to structural and financial issues.
Messi is Barcelona’s most decorated player, having won 6 Ballon D’ors and 4 Champions League titles with the Spanish team. He has won more than 30 titles since breaking into the Barcelona senior team in 2005.