Lionel Messi is confirmed that he will not be playing for Barcelona next season, and that he will be leaving the club after 21 years at the Spanish giant.
On Thursday, news broke that Barcelona could not re-sign their stalwart player due to 'financial and structural obstacles (Spanish Liga regulations)', however there was still hope that a way could be found to keep the Argentinian at the club.
It was confirmed on Sunday morning, though, that Messi would officially be leaving the Camp Nou as a free agent, having failed to force the Spanish Liga to alter their regulations and allow the club to retain his services.
In an emotional final press conference for FC Barcelona, the six-time Balon d'Or winner confirmed, in spite of trying everything to remain at the club, he would not be able to stay at the Camp Nou.
"This year, my family and I were convinced we were going to stay at home, that's what we all wanted more than anything," Messi said.
"We'd always made this our own, we were at home. We thought we would be staying here in Barcelona. But today, we have to say goodbye to all of this."
pressinphoto/SIPA USA/PA ImagesThe Argentina captain also confirmed the reasoning behind why the deal that both he and the club wanted to make could not go through.
This was after he made it clear in a burofax last season that he had wanted to leave the club.
"I did everything possible and the club, Laporta, they couldn't do it because of La Liga," Messi said.
"I've heard things said about me, that I didn't want to continue, but on my life, we did everything we could because I wanted to stay.
"Last year, I didn't want to stay and I said it; this year, I wanted to stay and we couldn't. I'm not ready for this. And honesty, with all the nonsense with the burofax, I was convinced of what I wanted to say.
"We thought we would be staying in Barcelona. The time we have had here has been amazing."
While it is currently unclear where the superstar will end up, L’Équipe are reporting that he is expected in Paris on Sunday evening to undergo medicals for Paris Saint Germain.
But asked this potential move to PSG, Messi said: "That is one possibility, to reach those heights.
"I've got nothing confirmed with anybody. I had a lot of calls, a lot of interested clubs. At the moment, nothing is closed, but we are talking about a lot of things."
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