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BARCELONA, SPAIN – Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona faces the media during a press conference at Nou Camp on August 08, 2021 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo : Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
There wasn’t a dry eye in the house on Sunday as Lionel Messi bade farewell to the only club he has played for in his entire professional career. The Argentina captain finally broke his silence regarding his controversial exit from Barcelona, fighting back the tears as he addressed reporters, friends, and family during a news conference at a somber Camp Nou.
It was a painful scene for Messi and the millions of Barcelona fans who did not expect the soccer icon’s career with the Catalan giants to come to an abrupt end. Messi confirmed that he was not supposed to leave the club this season, saying, “I’m not ready for this” and “I never imagined having to say goodbye.”
Messi confirms he had agreed to cut wages in half
Of course, things took a turn for the worse when Barcelona made a bombshell announcement on Thursday that Messi would be leaving the club due to financial and structural obstacles. Many were expecting Messi to re-sign with Barcelona before that shocking announcement, with reports surfacing weeks before that the 34-year-old had agreed to cut his wages in half to help the La Liga giants in their financial predicament.
Messi confirmed in the news conference that such an agreement took place, saying, “I offered to reduce my salary by 50% and Barca didn’t ask for anything else.” Unfortunately for Messi and Barcelona, that new five-year contract they had agreed on would still fall foul of La Liga’s financial fair play rules.
Barcelona’s spending cap with La Liga has plummeted from over €600 million in the 2019-20 season to an expected €200 million for the upcoming campaign, making it impossible to register Messi’s new contract with the league even with a 50 percent pay cut.
Messi’s previous contract grabbed headlines earlier this year after it was revealed that the Argentine star signed a four-year deal worth €500 million back in 2017, which included a base gross salary of around €70 million.
Related Article: Lionel Messi To Leave FC Barcelona: Club Announces Shock Exit After Contract Dispute With La Liga
Messi moves ever closer to joining PSG
Messi also talked about the latest rumors swirling about his proposed move to the French outfit Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). Messi confirmed that signing with PSG is a possibility, but he has not yet agreed with the Parisian giant.
He also explained briefly the photograph that went viral on social media, which showed him partying in the island resort of Ibiza with several PSG players, including close pals Neymar and Angel Di Maria. Messi said it was just a coincidence that they were together on the Spanish island, although he did admit that the PSG players joked about him joining forces with them shortly.
That appears to be sooner rather than later, with sources telling ESPN that Messi will be traveling to Paris in the coming days to complete his medical. He is expected to sign a two-year deal with PSG with an option for a third season. PSG is reportedly planning a big event to announce the blockbuster signing with the Eiffel Tower as the venue being suggested.
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