In Lionel Messi's first press conference since FC Barcelona announced that he would not be continuing with his boyhood club, the star striker made an emotional farewell.
"Last year I didn't want to stay and I said it. This year I wanted to stay and I couldn't," he said.
Calling it the most difficult time in his sporting career, Messi said his contract was not renewed at the "last minute" due to the La Liga issue.
"There's no going back. This is the end here. A new story will begin."
Messi's departure from Barcelona was because of “financial and structural obstacles”, the club announced on August 5. Barcelona announced Thursday it could not keep its greatest player because it wasn't able to fit a new contract within the Spanish league's financial fair-play regulations. The club's salary cap has been significantly slashed because of its huge debt. President Joan Laporta blamed the club's struggles on the coronavirus pandemic and particularly on the previous administration led by Josep Bartomeu.
“As a result of this situation, Messi shall not be staying on at FC Barcelona. Both parties deeply regret that the wishes of the player and the club will ultimately not be fulfilled.
Messi, who led Argentina to Copa America title on July 10, has been a free agent since July 1 after his contract with Barcelona expired.
French club PSG is reportedly first in line to sign on the striker. However, Messi said that a viral photo of him with PSG players-which had led to speculation that he would join the Mauricio Pochettino-led side--was just a coincidence. He added that joining PSG is one possibility. He said he got a lot of calls from clubs that were interested.
Messi's former Barcelona teammates Carles Puyol and Xavi were also there at the press conference.
It is rumoured that PSG is planning a press conference with Messi tomorrow.
Background
Messi asked to leave at the end of the 2019-20 season but had his request denied by Bartomeu. The Argentina star had agreed to stay and had reached agreement with Barcelona on a new contract, but the club wasn't able to make it work because of its dire financial situation.
Messi spent nearly two decades with the Catalan club after arriving from Argentina as a teenager to play in its youth squads. He made his first-team debut as a 17-year-old in 2004, then played 17 seasons with the main squad. He helped the club win the Champions League four times, the Spanish league 10 times, the Copa del Rey seven times and the Spanish Super Cup eight times.
Messi leaves as Barcelona's all-time leading scorer with 672 goals. He played in 778 matches with the club, also a record. He is also the overall top scorer in the Spanish league with 474 goals from 520 matches.
He led the Spanish league in scoring in eight seasons, and was the top scorer in the Champions League six times. His 26 goals against Real Madrid are a record for the clasico matches against Barcelona's fiercest rival.
With inputs from PTI
