barcelona
Sobbing, head down, with a handkerchief to dab the tears, behind his 35 trophies and in front of an audience of family members, managers and former comrades all standing to applaud. The last image of the 21-year story between Lionel Messi and Barcelona is very different from the one imagined by the star whose intention – he assured – was to “stay”, so much so that the new contract “was done”, and then later left «In a full Camp Nou, with the cheers of the fans». From now on he will perform on another football stage, probably at the Parco dei Principi. For now the Argentine from Rosario admits that Paris Saint-Germain «is a possibility: at the moment there is nothing closed but we are talking. Many clubs have inquired about my situation ».
Messi could fly in these hours to Paris, where he awaits a two-year contract with an option for a third, for 25 million euros net per season for a total of 50 from here by 2023. Half of what he was earning in Catalonia. «This is the hardest moment of my career. I’m leaving the club of my life – he said -. And my life will change completely ». Everything must be proportionate to the parameters of those who arrived as a child in Barcelona, where he was treated and became one of the strongest players in history, as well as the icon of the club. For sure Messi wants to keep winning. «I had lowered my salary by 50% but it was not enough. Someone said that another 30% cut was requested but this is not the case – he clarified -. As president Laporta has already said, at that moment for the reasons of the La Liga the thing was not closed, it could not be done. He and Barcelona did everything possible ». Thus came the unexpected turning point, those who expected that Leo Messi could play in blaugrana even for free or almost were disappointed.
After the farewell dinner on Saturday with his companions, yesterday the public farewell, moved, with his wife Antonella Roccuzzo and three “Catalan-Argentine” children in the audience. “Last summer I wanted to leave, this time not. It’s very difficult to say goodbye after so many years, I’m not ready and it’s not what I thought, ”said Messi, adding that“ this is goodbye ”. –