Lionel Messi could not hide his tears as he officially announced his exit from FC Barcelona, a club he spent the last 21 years of his football career.
Lionel Messi in tears as he bids farewell to Barcelona… 🔴🔵 pic.twitter.com/8NqhBmEeID
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) August 8, 2021
Lionel Messi crying while given a standing ovation 😞😢❤️ pic.twitter.com/B8fTNdekKc
— 🪄🇳🇱 (@FDJChief) August 8, 2021
The world of football received the biggest shock when FC Barcelona confirmed that Lionel Messi would no longer sign a new deal with the club on Thursday, 5 August 2021.
Before this announcement, Lionel Messi’s contract with Barcelona expired on June 30, 2021, and from July 1 to date, the 6 times Ballon d’Or winner has been without a club.
Initially, Messi and Barcelona were on the verge of agreeing on a new deal which could have seen the 34-year-old football icon accept a 50 percent pay cut.
However, the deal could not stand due to the financial complicities of the Spanish club who have been paying their players more than their revenue since 2020.
During a press conference organized for Messi to officially announce his exit from FC Barcelona, the football icon noted that his blood ran cold when it was confirmed that he would no longer play for Barcelona.
Messi said: “It was like my blood ran cold, I was really sad, it was really difficult right up to now. I’m still trying to process it all.
“When I got home I will still feel bad, it will be even worse…
“This is the end with this club and now a new story will begin. Yes, it’s one of the most difficult moments for me.
“I don’t want to leave this club, it’s a club I love and this is a moment I didn’t expect.
“Last year I wanted to leave, this year I wanted to stay, that’s why I’m so sad.”
Lionel Messi speaks on his potential move to PSG
Since it was confirmed that FC Barcelona have decided to end their relationship with Lionel Messi permanently, the major club that look like his next destination is Paris Saint Germain.
Reports claimed that PSG have agreed to offer the Argentina international a two-year deal which would earn him £25 million per year.
But Messi said no agreement has been reached but noted that his move to PSG is a possibility. “It is a possibility”, Messi confirmed.
“I’ve had nothing confirmed with anyone. When the press release went out I had a lot of calls and we are talking about a lot of things.”
