Last update on. From the section European FootballLionel Messi is in tears after receiving a standing ovation at the news conference in BarcelonaAs he confirmed his departure from Barcelona, Lionel Messi expressed sadness and said that he was open to the possibility of joining Paris St-Germain.Barca's salary limit means Messi cannot honor the contract they signed with him after 21 years of association.The 34-year-old record winner of the Ballon d'Or, is now a free agent.During a Sunday news conference, he stated that his family and he were certain they would stay at home.Argentina's forward said: "This is it. Now a new chapter will begin. It's one the most difficult times for me."I don’t want to leave this club. It’s a club that I love, and this is something I didn’t expect. "Last year, I wanted to go. This year, I wanted to stay. This is why I feel so sad.It was almost like my blood was running cold. It was very sad. It was very difficult up until now. It's still difficult for me to comprehend it all."When I get back, I will still feel terrible; it will be worse." This is not something I am ready for."What did Messi have to say more?After making his debut in the Barcelona team at 17 years old, Lionel Messi won 34 awards with Barcelona.Messi, Barcelona's record goal scorer, made a transfer request in the summer of last year before agreeing to remain for the final year.This expired on July 1, and Messi is currently in discussions over a move from Barca to PSG where he would be playing alongside Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.He said, "It's possible, but I haven't agreed to anything with anyone." "I have different clubs interested. Although nothing is certain, it is clear that we are in contact with them.Messi, then 13, left Argentina to play in Spain. He made his debut for Barcelona at 17 years old.He scored 672 goals in 778 matches and helped the Spanish giants to win 34 trophies. Replicas were also displayed at the news conference.He said, "I'm so thankful for the love that everybody's shown to me, for all of my team-mates and for the club being beside my side." "Today, I must say goodbye to all of this."I arrived in 13 years, when I was very young. Now, after 21 years, I'm leaving my wife and three Catalano-Argentine children."I couldn't be prouder of all I did and lived here." It is our home and I am certain that we will return after some years.Messi is leaving Barcelona.Messi was set to extend his stay in Nou Camp, having signed a new five year contract in July.He was previously paid 123m per season, but Messi agreed that he would be paid half of his salary.However, the agreement was dependent on players leaving Barca to bring Barca's wage bill below La Liga's limit. The club was unable to do so.Messi stated, "I offered to lower my salary by half and they didn’t ask for anything else."Joan Laporta, president of Barcelona, stated Friday that keeping Messi would have put the club in danger for 50 years.After it became apparent that Barca was unable to honor the contract they had signed with Messi's representatives, he contacted PSG.Transfer timeline for Lionel Messi25 August 2020 – Messi sends an email to the club requesting that he exercise a clause of his contract. This allows him to immediately leave without any fees.4 September 2020 - Messi claims he will stay at Barcelona as it is impossible for any team pay his 700m Euro (624m) release clause. The club insists that this would have to be fulfilled.27 October 2020 – Josep Maria Bartomeu (Barcelona president), resigns after he had a falling out with Messi over the failed transfer request.28 December 2020 - Messi said he hopes to play in the United States one day, but is uncertain about his future after his contract expires.31 January 2021: Barcelona says they will pursue "appropriate legal actions" against El Mundo, a Spanish newspaper that published details about Messi's contract worth 492m over four-years.16 May 2021 – Manager Ronald Koeman said he hoped Messi would not play his last home match for the club following a defeat by Celta Vigo of 2-1. This ended their title hopes, and saw them finish outside the top two for first time since 2007.22 May 2021: Paris St-Germain is believed to be "looking closely” at Messi's contract situation.28 May 2021: Barcelona President Joan Laporta states that a new contract is not yet in place for Lionel Messi, but that things are moving well.1. July 2021: Messi's Barcelona contract ends and he is free to act as his own agent.15 July 2021: Messi agrees that he will stay with Barca in a deal that includes a reduction of his wages until 2026.5 August 2021: Barcelona announces Messi's departure "due to financial and structural barriers".
