Lionel Messi broke down in tears when he confirmed he was leaving Barcelona after 21 years at his farewell press conference on Sunday morning.
The 34-year-old described hearing the news of his departure as “a cold shower” and “the hardest moment of his career”.
Barcelona said on Thursday that Messi will not be staying at the club “because of financial and structural obstacles”.
Messi also spoke of his adamancy to stay at the club, his understanding that “everything was agreed”, his meeting with Joan Laporta after the elections, the struggle for him and his family as well as his ambitions to win another Champions League.
Messi added a move to Paris Saint-Germain was “one possibility” along with “a lot” of other clubs and The Athletic understands he is now on the cusp of agreeing a deal to join the Ligue 1 side.
Here is the full transcript of his press conference…
What was your best moment at Barcelona?
“It’s difficult to choose just one moment. But maybe the time I made my debut. That was my dream come true.
“Everything that came later was amazing but I’ll always remember that moment that everything started.”
Did you think you would renew your contract?
“It’s everything that Laporta said.
“We had everything agreed but, at the last minute, it couldn’t happen [Messi staying at Barcelona]. I’ve heard lots of things being said about me, this year I wanted to stay and I couldn’t. Last year I didn’t want to stay, and I said it.
“This year I wanted to stay. I did everything possible but the club couldn’t do it because of La Liga.
“We have to take it and move forward.”
Do you think Barcelona did everything to keep you?
“I don’t know, what I have very clear is that I did everything I could.
“From my side, I did everything to stay, that is what I wanted.”
What is the hardest for you?
“Many things get in my head and I am a bit blocked. Until today it has not sunk in yet.
“I have been in the first team for 16 years and to start from scratch is hard for me and my family especially. We will adapt to what comes next. We have to accept it.”
Is PSG for you next?
“It is a possibility, but I have not agreed anything with anyone. I have different clubs who are interested. And nothing is definitive but clearly we are talking to them.”
What is your legacy for the club?
“I grew with values of this club and I wanted to be recognised that way.
“But in fact people can remember me whatever way they choose. Titles and also defeats made us grow, we had more happy moments than unhappy.”
Is this the hardest moment of your career?
“No doubt, this is the hardest moment. We had hurtful defeats but football gives you a chance to avenge that. But there is no turning point to this.”
“I feel very sad now as I have to leave a club that I love. I did not expect this. I always told the truth. Last year I wanted to leave, this year I did not want to leave.”
How do you imagine this Barcelona without you?
“The squad is great, other players will arrive, players come and go, the club is more important than anyone as Laporta said.
“People will get used to it. It might be strange to start but they will get used to it.
“The reality is that after the elections, I went for lunch with the new president and we spoke and after that meal I was convinced that I was going to stay and there would be no problem to do so.
“My contract was never a problem. But it was not possible.”
Would you return to have a homage with fans?
“Of course. It will not be the same. The moment was now, but for this club I am willing to do anything. We will do something.”
Do you think there were false expectations in the last few weeks?
“Not really, it was all agreed. From our side we were honest. It has not happened for the reasons we know.”
What could you say to Javier Tebas, who says he has done everything possible for you to stay?
“I know we couldn’t agree because of La Liga, the club debt and the club did not want to increase the debt.
“I have nothing to say to him, I have no problem with him.
“When I heard about it it was like a cold shower. It was hard to hear it. We are still getting used to it in whatever way we can. When I leave here today it will be even harder.
“But my people will be close and I will continue playing football. When it all starts it’ll feel better.”
Xavi and Iniesta went very far to keep playing. You might have to face Barcelona, how do you feel?
“People know me, they know I am competitive, I want to keep winning.
“My last years I want to fight for titles. Congratulations to Dani Alves, I want more titles than him, I am near and will keep at it.”
You took photos with PSG players in Ibiza?
“Pure coincidence. I was going to meet Paredes and Di Maria. Ney (Neymar) called me, come over. And I said, I am with Paredes and Di Maria.
“Come over all of you, Ney said. We took photos, they kept telling me, come over to PSG and we joked, that was all.”
Did you consider doing a crazy thing to stay?
“I did everything to stay. I can’t add anything else.
Do you feel with the new players, the young stars you could have won lots too?
“I would have liked to win another Champions League, that semi with Liverpool, the one vs Chelsea … but this happens.
“I want to win another CL.”
