Lionel Messi told reporters that he did “everything possible” to stay at Barcelona, but league regulations prevented him from signing a new contract.
Soccer superstar Lionel Messi broke down in tears during an emotional press conference where he confirmed that he is leaving his longtime club FC Barcelona. The 34-year-old, who joined FC Barcelona’s famed youth academy aged 13, and is the club’s all-time top scorer and appearance maker, entered the press conference Sunday afternoon wearing a face mask and looked visibly emotional. Before he spoke to reporters, he was passed a tissue by his wife to wipe away tears. “The truth is I’m leaving. I’m so grateful for the care people have shown me,” he said during the press conference. “I never imagined having to say goodbye.” Later, Messi confirmed that he had wanted to stay at Barcelona, but he and the club could not finalise a new contract due to league regulations. “I did everything possible and the club, Laporta [President of Barcelona], they couldn’t do it because of LaLiga,” he said.
