A tearful Lionel Messi addresses a media conference in Barcelona,where he has spent 21 years with the club of the same name.

A tearful Lionel Messi addresses a media conference in Barcelona,where he has spent 21 years with the club of the same name.Credit:Getty

“This is all like a bucket of cold water has been poured over me and we are still coming to terms with it,” he said through tears.

“When I get home,I’m sure it’ll be even worse. But I’ll be surrounded by my loved ones and I’ll carry on playing football,and when I do so,I’m sure it’ll become a bit easier.”

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It had been widely reported by local media that Messi was set to stay at Camp Nou,with the player admitting he had agreed to a five-year deal involving a 50 per cent pay cut.

Barca,whose debts total well in excess of €1 billion ($1.6 billion),were unable to make the deal work within the frameworks of La Liga’s financial fair play regulations - prompting their surprise U-turn on Thursday.

The trophies won by Barcelona during Messi’s time at the club were all on display at Sunday’s press conference.

The trophies won by Barcelona during Messi’s time at the club were all on display at Sunday’s press conference.Credit:Getty

“Honestly,when the elections happened[in March],I spoke with[Barcelona president Joan] Laporta,we had dinner and after that I was convinced I would be staying,” Messi said.

“My contract was never the issue ... What I know is that I did everything I could. The club say it could not happen because of La Liga.

“I can guarantee you that I did everything I could to stay. Last year I didn’t want to and I said that,but this year it was different.”

La Liga announced last Wednesday that it had secured a private equity injection of €2.7 billion from CVC with the funds to be shared amongst the clubs in return for 10 per cent of the league’s revenue.

The Argentine did not confirm reports he is set to join Paris Saint-Germain in France’s Ligue 1.

The Argentine did not confirm reports he is set to join Paris Saint-Germain in France’s Ligue 1.Credit:Getty

It had been believed this would allow Barcelona to get the Messi deal over the line,however after Real Madrid rejected the proposal and said they would take legal action against La Liga,Barca also came out against it.

Laporta told a news conference on Friday that the league informed him that accepting this injection was the only way they would approve a new contract for Messi,and that he had to put the long-term interests of the club above any player.

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Messi,who has been at the club for 21 years,becoming their all-time goalscorer with 682,broke down in tears before giving a speech and was greeted by a lengthy standing ovation from the media,current and former teammates and coaches in attendance.

It was noticeable that he was not accompanied by Laporta or any of the other Barcelona directors during the act.

All 35 trophies he won during his time at the club were laid out for what the club described would be a private photo session after the news conference.

Reuters

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