Lionel Messi gave a tearful farewell to Barcelona on Sunday afternoon, holding a press conference amid the club's announcement that he would be leaving.
Due to budgetary restrictions, Barcelona announced earlier this week that the player's contract would not be renewed, meaning he would leave the Catalan giants after 21 years.
He conducted his final press conference at the Nou Camp on Sunday to bid farewell to the club, his former teammates, and the supporters.
As soon as he stepped onto the platform, the football icon could not fight back emotions before giving an emotional speech that was met with a standing ovation from those in the studio, as well as his teammates and coaches.
Last summer, Messi stated that he wanted to leave the club, and he did so again on Sunday, but he stated that things were different this year, and that he wanted to stay.
When asked how things had gone, the 34-year-old responded,
“I finished my new contract. Everything has been completed. I wanted to stay, and when I returned from vacation, it was completed. … Then there's Laporta's explanation.
“With everything going on in La Liga, it couldn't happen at the last minute.”
Fans were not allowed to see Messi at the Nou Camp since March 2020, and the ten-time La Liga champion expressed regret for not being able to just say farewell to them.
“If I were to bid farewell, I'd want to do so in front of a sold-out Camp Nou. I am grateful to everyone who cares about me and believes in me.
“Over the last year, I've missed the fans tremendously. Those who sang my name come to mind.
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