© AFP
The emotional and touching press conference where Lionel Messi officially bid farewell to Barcelona club took place. The Argentine answered many questions about why he couldn't sign a new contract, where his next career stop might be, and paid tribute to Barca and its fans. Messi talked about Barcelona: "I was sure I would stay here. This is my home, our home. I wanted to stay at Barca, and that was my plan, but today I have to say goodbye after spending my whole life here. I always tried to behave humbly and respectfully towards everyone working at the club. I hope that's how I will be remembered. The club did many good things, as well as bad ones, but it helped me grow."
About the contract he couldn't sign, Messi said: "My new contract was already on the table. It was already done. I wanted to stay here, and when I returned from vacation, it was ready. But then everything happened, as Laporta explained. At the last minute, with La Liga regulations, it couldn't happen."
About the 50% salary reduction rumors: "The rumors that Barca and Laporta asked me to reduce my salary by 30% on Thursday are complete nonsense. It's a lie. I offered to reduce my salary by 50%, and then they didn't ask me for anything else."
About PSG and the photo with PSG players: "PSG is one of the options, yes. At the moment nothing is confirmed, but I have received many calls after Barcelona's statement that I'm leaving the club. Negotiations are ongoing. The photo with PSG boys was just a coincidence. I was there with my friends and we decided to take a picture. They told me: 'Come to Paris,' but it was more like a joke, as we were on vacation."
About the future of Barcelona: "It's the biggest club in the world. Players come and go, the club itself is much more important than any player. Fans have gotten used to my absence. Everything will be fine in the future."
About Barca fans: "If I had dreamed of my farewell, I would have wanted to say goodbye in front of a full Camp Nou stadium. I am grateful to everyone who loves and supports me. I missed the fans so much in recent years. I always think about those who chant my name."
Finally, Messi added: "I am very sad because I didn't want to leave the club. I did everything to stay there. This is the hardest time of my career, without a doubt. There were many difficult moments, but back then I could return to training and recover. Now I can't, my time at the club is over."
Lionel Messi is currently most associated with PSG, and his era at Barcelona club has officially ended.
Source: FC Barcelona Twitter account
