Barcelona in tears as their beloved Leo bids farewell in press conference: I gave everything for this shirt

These are sad times for everyone who loves FC Barcelona. It’s gotten ten times worse when they saw their beloved Lionel Messi in tears, saying goodbye to the club he’d become synonymous with. In an emotional press conference held at Barca’s stadium, Leo bid his final farewell.

"I always gave everything for this club, for this shirt. From the first day to the last and I am more than satisfied. Thank people for their love forever. I would have liked to say goodbye in a different way. I never imagined my farewell, but I would not have imagined it that way. The truth is I don't want to say it, these recent days I've been thinking about what I could say, and the truth is that I can't think of anything. This is really difficult for me after so many years, being here my entire life. I'm not ready for this."

The 34-year-old Argentinian superstar, six times a Ballon d'Or winner, has been out of contract since the end of June and Barca say they cannot afford to keep him, with Paris Saint-Germain widely expected to try to entice him to the Parc des Princes.

"It is the most difficult moment of my career without a doubt. My new contract was done. All done. I wanted to stay and when I came back from holidays, it was done. … At the last minute with everything with La Liga, it couldn’t happen."

Barcelona are doing their best to make their own players and fans look like idiots

Last year he sought to engineer a release from his contract in frustration at some poor showings in Europe by the club where he has won four Champions Leagues but ended up staying. As club president Joan Laporta repeatedly said in the past few days, the Argentine confirmed that he wanted to remain at the club but he was ultimately forced to leave by rigid financial rules set in place by the Spanish football league. Last month Barcelona, battling huge debts, had said they were in agreement in principle with the player and his entourage on a new five-year deal on much reduced wages.

"We had everything agreed but, at the last minute, it couldn’t happen. I’ve heard lots of things being said about me, this year I wanted to stay and I couldn’t. Last year I didn’t want to stay, and I said it. This year I wanted to stay. I did everything possible but the club couldn’t do it because of La Liga. We have to take it and move forward."

French club PSG are considered the favourites to land the player. Messi didn’t give a clear confirmation about Paris being his next destination.

"Paris Saint-Germain is one possibility. I had a lot of calls after the press release but nothing has been confirmed at the moment. We are talking about lots of things."

It’s the end of the road for Barcelona and Messi. It’s going to be strange watching the Catalan giants without their best-ever player running out on the pitch, but Leo reckons the team will be able to carry on.

"The squad is great, other players will arrive, players come and go, the club is more important than anyone as Laporta said. People will get used to it. It might be strange at start but they will get used to it."

Asked if he could change his mind and still remain at Camp Nou, the Argentina captain said that despite his wishes and willingness to half his wages, it wasn't enough for the club.

"I said it. I did my best and it couldn't. I can't say anything else. I had lowered my contract by 50 per cent and then nothing more was asked of me. It is not true that Barcelona asked me for anything more."

It's the end of Barcelona as we know it. Thank you for the memories, Leo - and here's to many years of you creating some new ones - wherever you go.