On Sunday, Lionel Messi held back tears at the start of the press conference, at which he confirmed that he would leave Barcelona, where he played his entire career. The 34-year-old Argentine superstar has won the Ballon d’Or six times and has not had a contract since late June. Barcelona said it could not keep him, and it is expected that Paris Saint-Germain will try to lure him to Parc des Princes. . “This year, my family and I are convinced that we will stay here, at home, which is what we want most,” the adapted Messi said as he tried to control his emotions.
Last year he sought to engineer a release from his contract in frustration at some poor showings in Europe by the club where he has won four Champions Leagues but ended up staying.
Last month Barcelona, battling huge debts, had said they were in agreement in principle with the player and his entourage on a new five-year deal on much reduced wages.
“The truth is I don’t know what to say,” said Messi, who signed for the Catalan giants as a 13-year-old.
“After 21 years I am leaving with my three Catalan Argentine children,” said Messi, who won 10 league titles with the club.
“I gave everything for this club from the first day that I arrived right to the last. I never imagined having to say goodbye.
“Never Imagined”: Tearful Lionel Messi Confirms Barcelona Exit
Lionel Messi fought back tears Sunday as he began a press conference at which he was expected to confirm he is leaving Barcelona.
- Agence France-Presse
- Updated: August 08, 2021 04:08 PM IST
Lionel Messi played 778 games across all competitions for Barcelona, scoring 672 goals.© AFP
Highlights
- Lionel Messi broke down as he addressed a press conference on Sunday
- Messi is leaving Barcelona having spent his entire career at the club
- Barca say financial regulations mean they cannot renew Messi’s contract
Lionel Messi fought back tears Sunday as he began a press conference at which he confirmed he is leaving Barcelona, where he has played his entire career. The 34-year-old Argentinian superstar, six times a Ballon d’Or winner, has been out of contract since the end of June and Barca say they cannot afford to keep him, with Paris Saint-Germain widely expected to try to entice him to the Parc des Princes. “This year, my family and I were convinced we were going to stay here, at home — this is what we wanted more than anything,” said a suited Messi as he struggled to contain his emotions.https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=eyJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2hvcml6b25fdHdlZXRfZW1iZWRfOTU1NSI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJodGUiLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3NwYWNlX2NhcmQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib2ZmIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH19&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1424318142063460354&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fsports.ndtv.com%2Ffootball%2Flionel-messi-in-tears-as-he-bids-adieu-to-barcelona-in-emotional-press-conference-2505611&sessionId=810eea1d657e233b134033a4631716e68a1dae9f&siteScreenName=Sports_NDTV&theme=light&widgetsVersion=1890d59c%3A1627936082797&width=550px
Last year he sought to engineer a release from his contract in frustration at some poor showings in Europe by the club where he has won four Champions Leagues but ended up staying.
Last month Barcelona, battling huge debts, had said they were in agreement in principle with the player and his entourage on a new five-year deal on much reduced wages.
“The truth is I don’t know what to say,” said Messi, who signed for the Catalan giants as a 13-year-old.
“After 21 years I am leaving with my three Catalan Argentine children,” said Messi, who won 10 league titles with the club.
“I gave everything for this club from the first day that I arrived right to the last. I never imagined having to say goodbye
“In recent days I have given lots of thought to what I can say and truth to tell I can’t think of anything.
“This is really difficult for me after so many years spent here — my entire life. I’m not ready for this,” he told a packed conference at the club as thousands of fans milled outside.
