Lionel Messi has met with the media on Sunday, August 8, at the press conference room in Camp Nou, three days after Barcelona had confirmed that he would not be remaining at the club. Due to the news breaking on Thursday, the superstar couldn't address his departure to the public until today.
Over half of the Argentine's life, he spent playing at the Camp Nou in Spain. He will not wear the Blaugrana jersey anymore, but instead, he will be seen putting on a different shirt for the first time in his professional career. The last time was back when he was a bright 13-year-old prodigy at Newell's Old Boys in his homeland, Argentina.
The 34-year-old forward has been Barca's face for the past 15 years, and his shock departure is a tremendous blow to the club's future ambitions and reputation. In addition to the six Ballon d'Or awards, among the 35 trophies that Messi will take with him when he leaves are 10 La Liga titles, four Champions League trophies, and three Club World Cups.
Lionel Messi: Most important quotes from farewell press conference
Lionel Messi has been overcome with emotion during his press conference in Barcelona on Sunday afternoon. For the first time in his career, Messi has become emotional when addressing the media. After becoming the world's best footballer at Barcelona, the soccer veteran would be moving on to a new club. Fans wearing Messi's No. 10 shirts gathered in large numbers outside the stadium.
'I never imagined having to say goodbye...'
"I gave everything for this club, from the first day I arrived to the last. I never imagined having to say goodbye as I didn't think about it. It's even stranger due to the pandemic and playing without fans. I have always felt the love of the fans though and hopefully, I will be back at some point."
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'We will be back, this is our home...'
"This is very difficult for me after so many years. Last year when all the nonsense with the Burofax was going on I was convinced [to leave]. But this year no. This is our home and we love Barcelona, as much from the sporting side as in our everyday life. After 21 years here, I'm leaving with my wife and my three Argentinean-Catalan children. We will be back, this is our home and I promised my kids as well."
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'I love Barcelona and I wanted to stay...'
"I am really sad because I didn’t want to leave this club. I love Barcelona and I wanted to stay, and my new contract had been agreed, it was all done. I wanted to stay and when I came back from my holidays, it was a done job. Then it is how Joan Laporta explained - at the last minute, with everything happening with La Liga, it couldn't happen."
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'We agreed a 50 percent pay cut'
"There were never any false expectations. We were convinced I would be staying. It was all arranged and there were no problems. I think I have always been honest with people. We agreed a 50 percent pay cut and Barcelona didn't ask me for anything else. Everything else is false. We did everything possible but it couldn't be done. There have been a lot of things said that aren't true."
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'Nothing is decided yet but Paris Saint-Germain...'
"Paris Saint-Germain is a possibility, yes. For now, I haven't agreed anything with anyone. I have received a lot of calls after the Barcelona statement, several clubs have been interested. Nothing is decided yet but we are in talks..."
