At 12:00 in the morning, the 1899 Auditorium saw the last entry of Leo Messi to the Camp Nou as a 'player' of Barcelona. Wrapped in an elegant suit, the Argentine entered alone and left one of the images of the farewell. As soon as he took off his mask to begin his speech, the Argentine could not help it and began to cry. All his legacy, in every way, was present in the room: teammates, family and the dozens of trophies he won in more than a decade as part of the FC Barcelona first team.
Assuming his blockade, the Argentine began with this speech. “I don't know if I'm going to be able to speak. In these last days I thought I could say. The truth was that nothing came out, I was blocked. I still am. It is very difficult after so many years, of doing all my life here, I was not I was convinced last year when the burofax mess broke out, but this year, no. I was convinced that we were going to continue in our house, it was what we wanted the most. We surpassed our well-being. Being in our house and continue enjoying our life in Barcelona. both in sports and in everyday life, which is wonderful. Today I have to say goodbye to this. It was many years. I arrived very young. After 21 years, I am leaving with my wife, with three Catalans Argentines … I cannot be more proud of everything I did and lived in this city. After being away for a few years, we will return. I promised my children that way. I have to thank everyone for everything I experienced. I grew up with the values of this club and I always tried to handle myself with humility. “Pa I know many beautiful things. Also, bad. But everything made me grow up and be who I am today. I always gave everything for this club, for this shirt since I arrived until the last one. I'm leaving more than satisfied. To thank the affection of the people of always. I would have liked to say goodbye in a different way. I never imagined it because I didn't think about it. I would have liked to do it with people, on the pitch, to be able to hear one last ovation, one last sweetheart … I missed them a lot when we couldn't play with the public. I missed celebrating a goal with them and having them chant my name. I am retiring from this club without seeing it and it has been going on for more than a year and a half. I would have liked to be close to people and say goodbye well. It happened like this. I want to thank you again for all the love of all these years. The affection of the people was always the same and I felt their love as I also towards them. Hopefully I can be part of this club again in whatever way. That I can contribute to give him the best and continue to be the best club in the world. Surely I forget many things … Is what I can say. I am in no condition for words to come out. Thanks to everyone, “he said in a farewell that took several minutes and an effort, breaking with the image of fluidity that so many years had shown on the Camp Nou pitch that was just a few meters away.
Then the audience got up and clapped. Messi assured to miss the ovations and received it from those present. Then question time began. These were all the responses of Leo Messi.
Messi's press conference, complete
Stay with a moment: “There are many years, many things lived. It is difficult, but perhaps the moment in which I had to debut. It was the beginning of everything. It was to make my dream come true. Everything that came after was wonderful. I prefer the debut, when it started everything”
What has happened in the last few days? Do you arrive in Barcelona thinking that it is ok ?: “Because of the LaLiga issue, it couldn't be done. It was all agreed and it couldn't be done.”
Has Barcelona done everything for you?: “I don't know. Laporta said it was for LaLiga. I did do everything possible. I heard many things that were said about me but for my part I did everything possible to stay. Last year I did not want to and I also said so. This year wanted and could not “
The saddest thing about this ending ?: “A lot of things go through my head. I'm blocked and I don't fall into the reality of leaving this club, of changing my life completely. I've been in the first team for 16 years and for me, it was always the same. Now it's starting from Zero, change. I know it is a hard change for my family, I know what they feel in this city. I know that we are going to adapt and we are going to be fine. It is a difficult change, but we have to accept it, assimilate it and start again “
Where are you going to play next season ?: “PSG is a possibility. To this day, I have nothing settled with anyone. When the statement came out I had many calls. Several clubs were interested. There is still nothing closed, but we are talking …”
Club values and images to keep: “I like to be recognized for the values of the club and to be recognized for that apart from the game. I am very grateful for the career I had at Barcelona, the titles won, the defeats … They made me learn and grow . We had more joys than defeats. There are very beautiful images. Sharing the joys of the titles. I have many images to remember and very good “
Hardest moment of your career: “Yes, this is it. I have had hard times, difficult, defeats … But the other day you went back to training, you had another rematch. This does not come back, it is the end. Now another story begins. It is a very difficult moment, yes. “
Feelings: “I am very sad to leave the club that I love at a time when I did not expect it. I never lied, I went straight ahead and with the truth. Last year I wanted to leave, not this one. For that reason, the sadness”
As Messi imagines Barça without Messi: “More players will continue to arrive. The players pass. As Laporta said, the club is always more important than anyone. At first it will be strange, but people will get used to it. Very good players came, there is a great squad and everything is accommodated “
Had you decided to leave at the end of the season ?: “When the elections passed, I had lunch with Laporta. We talked, had dinner and … After that meal I was convinced to continue, that there would be no problems. The contract was never a problem. After what happened happened. I had no doubts. We knew it. what we had decided and what we had planned to do “
Is Leo open to a tribute at the Camp Nou ?: “I would have liked the moment to be now, but obviously, for these people I am willing to do anything. Of course I am”
False hopes about its continuity: “No, false hopes, no. We were convinced that I would arrive. It was so clear that we had everything settled and without problems. I think I was always honest with people. As I said before, it did not happen because of what was already commented. my part never fooled people “
What would Messi say to Javier Tebas ?: “I do not know well the fabric of all this. It was not possible because of LaLiga, because of the club's debt, the club did not want to go into debt more. I have nothing to say to Tebas. I saw him once or twice and had a cordial treatment. No I have no problem with Thebes I … “
How did the news make you feel ?: “It was a bucket of cold water. We are assimilating it as best we can. When I leave the chips will fall even more. It will be even worse. We will be sheltered with my family and my loved ones. I will continue playing and one Once I start, all this will pass me a bit “
Play in a possible rival of Barcelona: “I am a winner. I want to continue competing. If I had stayed I would have fought for everything. My last year I want to continue fighting. By the way I want to congratulate Alves, I am close in titles and I am going to fight to pass it. People know me to question me. I wanted to stay. Now my idea is to keep competing and winning “
The photo in Ibiza with PSG players: “The photo is bullshit. I said about getting together in Ibiza with Di María and Paredes. Neymar called me and we all got together. Verratti was also there. They told me jokingly to go to Paris. It was a coincidence and then what happens happens and this photo is given more importance. A thing of friends on vacation. Nothing more “
How many years does Messi have left ?: “It depends on how the physicist responds to me. I have many colleagues who tell me that it is difficult every day (after retirement). We are used to a routine and then, it is hard. Until I can I will continue competing”
Why is the door closed to a negotiation when there is so much transfer market left ?: “The president explained it. The club has a large debt, it does not want to borrow more. It couldn't be done and LaLiga didn't allow it. Why stretch more if it is impossible. I have to think about my career and that is what I have to do from now on “
Do crazy to stay: “I already said it before. I did everything possible and it couldn't. I have nothing else to say. I can't tell you anything else. We did everything we could.”
If any more Champions were missing: “I still have the thorn of having won another Champions League. We were close to the Liverpool semifinal that we got into another final. Chelsea's with Pep … We had a generation that could have won another Champions League. I had to win other things. I do not regret it. It is true that we had that thorn of one more. It is one of my objectives, to win the Champions League again and more titles. With all the possible ones and try to catch Dani, where he goes, he wins. I will try to get closer at least”
A downgrade until the chip entered the limit: “I was down 50%, we closed the contract and nothing more was asked of me. The rest is a lie. We did everything possible and it was not possible. There are many things that are said that are not true”
Have you felt cheated ?: “No, we did everything possible and it couldn't be done. I speak for myself only, but I was always face to face with the partner. I was always transparent. But when you don't talk much you say a lot of things. You have to fill in, speak, give your opinion … Everyone can have their say whatever they want. It was important to me to tell the truth to the people I grew up with all these years. “