Messi’s press conference to bid farewell to FC Barcelona was an emotional affair.
He burst into tears before he even started speaking.
Messi struggled to get the words out, in a moving speech.
“The truth is I don’t want to say it, these recent days I’ve been thinking about what I could say, and the truth is that I can’t think of anything.”
“This is really difficult for me after so many years, being here my entire life. I’m not ready for this.”
“And honestly, last year, with all the nonsense with the burofax, I was convinced I knew what I wanted to say. This year, I don’t.”
“This year we thought we would stay at Barcelona. Today I have to say goodbye to all of this. I’ve been here my entire life – I’ve been here since I was 13.
“After 13 years I am leaving with my wife, with my three Catalan kids. This is our home, and one day we will be back, I have promised my children that.
“The truth is we’re leaving. I never imagined having to say goodbye because I never thought of it. And I never thought of it this way.
“It’s been difficult to play in the pandemic without the people near by, without the fans cheering my name, without the fans for over a year and a half.
Messi admitted that he had an agreement with Barcelona but La Liga prevented the move happening.
“My new contract was done. All done. I wanted to stay and when I came back from holidays, it was done. At the last minute with everything with La Liga, it couldn’t happen,
Messi was also asked about a potential move to Paris Saint-Germain but he refused to confirm whether he will move to the French giants.
“Paris Saint-Germain is a possibility, yes. At the moment nothing is confirmed, I received lot of calls after Barcelona statement. We’re talking about it.”