A tear-filled Lionel Messi announced his departure from FC Barcelona on Sunday, saying the club could no longer afford to pay the Argentine’s hefty salaries, and that he was in talks with French club Paris St. Germain about a prospective move.
According to the French publication L’Equipe, the Argentine will go to Paris either Sunday or Monday for a physical and to finalise his contract with the Qatar Sports Investment-owned club.
While Messi would not confirm that he will join the Parisians, he stated that his intention was to continue playing as long as possible.
“As long as I go on being competitive and as long as my body responds (I’ll carry on playing),” he told a news conference.
“As long as I can, I will carry on competing.”
“As long as I go on being competitive and as long as my body responds (I’ll carry on playing),” he told a news conference.
“As long as I can, I will carry on competing.”
“I tried to behave with humility and respect and I hope that is what remains of me when I leave the club,” said an emotional Messi as hundreds of supporters gathered outside Barca’s Camp Nou stadium, many wearing his No. 10 shirt, to bid farewell to the player they dubbed Messiah.
The 34-year-old, who has been with the club for 21 years and is the club’s all-time goalscorer with 682, broke down in tears before delivering a speech and received a standing ovation from the assembled media, present and past teammates, and coaches.
Messi stated he thought he’d be remaining at the club after agreeing to a five-year agreement with a 50% wage reduction, only for an unexpected U-turn late last week.
“Honestly, when the elections happened (in March), I spoke with (club president Joan) Laporta, we had dinner and after that I was convinced I would be staying,” he recalled.
“My contract was never the issue … What I know is that I did everything I could. The club say it could not happen because of La Liga. I can guarantee you that I did everything I could to stay. Last year I didn’t want to and I said that, but this year it was different.”
After the news conference, all 35 trophies he earned during his stint at the club were put out for what the club billed as a private picture session.
