‘Today is the day I have to say goodbye to Barcelona,’
Lionel Messi says at a news conference after bidding a sorrowful farewell to the club. In the press conference, Messi also hinted that Paris St Germain could be his next destination.
During a goodbye press conference at the Nou Camp on Sunday, the 34-year-old Argentina international received a standing ovation from family and friends, current and former teammates, and journalists, three days after the club revealed his impending departure.
During the press conference, an emotional Messi, who has since been extensively connected with both Ligue 1 giants PSG and Premier League heavyweights Manchester City, gave a brief speech before answering questions about the failed contract negotiations that led to his retirement after 21 years in the game. Barca blamed LaLiga’s financial fair play laws for their inability to reach a deal with the Spanish league.
On being asked about the potential of reaching those heights with Paris Saint-Germain, he said: “That’s honestly one option, to achieve those heights. At the moment, I haven’t had anything confirmed with anyone.”
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At the moment, I don’t have anything finalized, but we’re talking about a lot of things.” Whatever awaits the six-time Ballon d’Or winner, who joined Barca as a 13-year-old and has contributed to the club’s 35-trophies haul, he admitted his “blood ran cold” when it was revealed he would not be able to stay after believing he and president Joan Laporta were “very close to reaching an understanding.”
it suddenly couldn’t happen.” Messi also confirmed that he had offered to take a 50 percent pay cut to continue a period of service that had yielded 672 goals in 778 appearances, saying: “There is nothing more to say.” I’m not sure what else I can say. What is evident is that I tried everything I could; nevertheless, the club, Laporta, was unable to do so according to LaLiga regulations.
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The Barcelona star’s career has come to an end 12 months after he requested to leave the club but was prevented from doing so by a 700million Euro release clause in his contract – equivalent to around £629million. “I’ve heard a lot of things said about me, that I didn’t want to continue, but on my behalf, we did everything we could because I wanted to stay.”
Upon being asked to express his sentiments, he stated, “I am devastated because I didn’t want to leave this club, which is my second home. It is a moment that I did not anticipate.” He continued, “I’ve never lied, and I have always been honest and up forward.” It was last year that I wanted to go; this year, I didn’t, and it is for this reason that I am so depressed.
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Whether or not Messi’s immediate future lies in Paris, his illustrious career will now enter a new phase. “This city has become our home, and I promise my children that.”
“However, I am confident that we will be fine. It will be a painful transition, but one that must be accepted, one that must be undertaken, and one that must be moved ahead.”
