Argentinian football star Lionel Messi could not hold back his tears during a press conference held today, Sunday, at Camp Nou, addressing the details of his departure from FC Barcelona. Messi confirmed to reporters that he would leave Barcelona after the club announced it could no longer afford his high costs, according to Agence France-Presse.
An emotional Messi stated, "I try to act with humility and respect, and I hope that is what remains of me when I leave the club." He added, "This year, my family and I were convinced that we would stay here in Barcelona; that is what we wanted more than anything else."
Messi said, "In the past few days, I have thought a lot about what I could say, and the truth is that I cannot think of anything." He did not mention his immediate plans regarding his next destination after leaving Barcelona, but the French newspaper L'Équipe reported on Friday that he is set to join Paris Saint-Germain, after manager Mauricio Pochettino indicated to reporters that Messi is "an option."
In response to those reports, Messi stated at the press conference that he has not yet made a decision about his future after leaving Barcelona, but he noted that "Paris Saint-Germain is a possibility, but nothing is finalized yet." Hundreds of Messi's fans gathered outside Camp Nou on Sunday, wearing his jersey bearing the number 10. The contract of the 34-year-old Argentine star, a six-time Ballon d'Or winner, ended at the end of June, and Barcelona announced on Thursday that he would leave as they could not afford to keep him.
