Messi Press Conference LIVE: Lionel Messi breaks down crying, refuses to confirm PSG move, Follow LIVE updates;- With eyes on a move to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Lionel Messi will be doing a press conference at Camp Nou, in what will be his final appearance at Barcelona. The 34-year-old was close to signing an extension with the Catalan giants but following LaLiga’s strict regulations and Barcelona’s financial turmoil, the club couldn’t find a way to register the Blaugrana legend. The press conference is likely to clear questions regarding his future and explain his dramatic exit from Barcelona this summer – Follow all LIVE Updates as LIONEL MESSI moves out of BARCELONA
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) August 8, 2021
@4:12 PM– Barcelona officials conclude the press conference with Messi now set to have a photograph session with all the trophies he has won with the club.
@4:10 PM– Messi emphasizes how he did everything he can to stay at Barca. He also speaks about the rumors and verified the news of accepting a 50% payout to stay with the LaLiga side.The Argentine goes on to add that there were a lot of false rumors about him not doing everything he could to continue at the club.
@4:07 PM – The 34 year old added how he wanted to win “another Champions League” with FC Barcelona before leaving the club. Claiming how they could have won”one more” Messi states how its” just the nature of football, and you cannot win every game.
@4:05 PM– Messi adds that he wants to focus on his future and cites them as the main reason for not playing in Barca’s preseason friendlies.
@4:00 PM– The Argentine international expresses desire to continue fighting and competing to at the highest level possible. He also claims to be thankful for not being seriously injured during his career.
@3: 55 PM– Messi elaborates how he wanted to stay and was positive about signing a new contract with the club.
@3:50 PM– Answering Barca TV, the 34 year old called his debut as one of the best moments of his life. Claiming it to be a “dream come true” moment.
@3:47 PM– Thunderous applause continues at the play at Camp Nou
@3-45 PM– Messi adds, “I cannot image leaving the club in such a way” while promising to be back soon and do all he can to help the club be become the best in the world.
“I cannot be more proud of what I did and lived in this city, which I will return to when I finish abroad, because it is our home and I promised it to my children as well. I thank everyone who helped us. I grew up with the values of this club, of handling myself with humility and respect. I did so with everyone in this house and I hope that remains, in addition to everything we won.”
“It’s been hard, a year and a half without fans. I wanted to say goodbye properly. One day I hope to come back. I promise that to my kids. I want to help this club to be the best.”
@3: 42– Calling FC Barcelona his home, the Argentine says how he has given everything for the shirt, and is grateful for the care people have shown to him at Barcelona. Also Reveals how he was eager to stay
“”I heard many things that are not true. I wanted to continue. It was all agreed.”
@3: 39 PM– He shares that all the positives and negatives that have happened at the club during his tenure helped in shaping him up as a human being.
@3:37 PM- An emotional Messi states ” he is not ready for this” amongst his first words during the conference.
“It is the most difficult moment of my sporting career. When they told me, I blocked it out. It was like a jug of cold water. I have had hard and difficult moments, but this… I feel very sad, I did not expect it.”
@3:35 PM– Messi has arrived at the podium as the press conference with most of FC Barcelona players spotted in the audience
@3:30 PM– Messi has been spotted arriving at Barcelona’s stadium
🎬 | Leo Messi arriving at the press conference. pic.twitter.com/M1OEQHiKpQ
— infosfcb (@infosfcb) August 8, 2021
@3:25 PM– Fans Have gathered in huge Numbers at Camp Nou
The scene right now outside Camp Nou: pic.twitter.com/ecF6ZMdPbM
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 8, 2021
@3:15 PM– Barcelona head coach Ronald Koeman makes way into the stadium with Coutinho also seen arriving at the venue
Coutinho arrives. pic.twitter.com/ZhgXd8zdym
— Barça Worldwide (@BarcaWorldwide) August 8, 2021
@3:00 PM– Fans have gathered outside Camp Nou waiting for Messi to arrive
Image: Fans outside the stadium are waiting for Lionel Messi’s arrival. pic.twitter.com/KJnondUcSC
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) August 8, 2021
@2:45 PM- The Argentine is expected to arrive at Camp Nou soon for his farewell Press Conference
@2:30 PM Sunday- Less than an Hour to go For Lionel Messi Press Conference
Leo Messi farewell press conference in one hour, at Camp Nou. Starting from next week Leo’s expected to complete the agreement with Paris Saint-Germain after positive verbal talks. 🇦🇷🇫🇷 #Messi
Contract until June 2023 + option until 2024. €35 net per season [add ons included].
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 8, 2021
Lionel Messi will be hosting a farewell dinner ahead his Press conference at the Camp Nou. The Argentine is said to have called his close friends and family for the same. Team-mates with Jordi Alba, Gerard Pique, Sergio Aguero and Sergio Busquets are set to be present at his home in Barcelona.
Messi Press Conference LIVE – What to expect in the Press Conference? Lionel Messi was expected to sign a five-year deal with the club a year after officially handing in a transfer request, but those plans were laid to rest as “financial obstacles” meant that Barcelona couldn’t register the now free agent to their squad.
While both the club and the player wished to continue their journey together, president Joan Laporta revealed that there was no looking back and “negotiations are over”, bringing a close to Messi’s glorious chapter with Barcelona.
- Messi will make an emotional public address to Barca supporters from the Nou Camp this morning to put his side across regarding the dramatic end to his remarkable 21 years at the club.
- He has been described by sources as being ‘hurt and in a state of shock’ following Thursday’s news that he would be leaving the club and was apparently unsure about the move to PSG, who are managed by Mauricio Pochettino.
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Messi has been a free agent since July when his contract expired. He had agreed a new five-year deal on reduced wages but the club blamed La Liga’s ‘financial and structural obstacles’ for not being able to keep him.
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Barca president Joan Laporta said keeping Messi could have put the club at risk for 50 years. The Argentina captain has enjoyed a trophy-laden two decades with the Catalan giants, winning 10 La Liga titles, four Champions Leagues and seven Copa del Reys, as well as claiming the Ballon d’Or on a record six occasions.
Messi Press Conference LIVE: PSG bound Messi to detail Barcelona exit at 3:30 PM; Follow LIVE updates
Messi Press Conference LIVE: A breakdown of Messi’s final year at Barcelona
- After the departure of Luis Suarez last summer, Lionel Messi threatened to love Barcelona suggesting a lack of trust in the Josep Maria Bartomeu led board
- Messi sent a burofax handing his transfer request, but eventually decided to stay for a season and honour his contract to avoid legal tussle with the club he loved
- Bartomeu was ousted and Joan Laporta was voted as the new club [president, who signalled his intention to keep Messi at the club
- Laporta’s vision and plan for the squad pleased Messi and the 34-year-old was closer to staying put at Barcelona.
- Messi eventually agreed to a 50% pay cut to ensure he remains at the club as Barcelona go through a severe financial crisis.
- Laporta offered Messi a five-year deal which was accepted by the player, only for LaLiga regulations to foil those plans.
- Due to the state of the finances, Barcelona cannot register Messi and had to reduce a major chunk of their wage bill, which they failed to do so.
- The extension fell apart, and Barcelona announced that Messi’s contract will no longer be renewed despite the urge from both parties to do so.
Messi Press Conference LIVE: What next for Lionel Messi? Argentine legend on the brink of PSG transfer
The 34-year-old is linked with a move to Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and is expected to sign a bumper two-year deal, with an option of an additional year. The move could see him team up with former Barcelona teammate and close friend Neymar, while Argentine teammates Leandro Paredes and Angel Di Maria will also provide some great company. As per reports, Messi is set to sign a contract worth €40m (£34m) a year after tax, making him the highest earner at the club, above Neymar.
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