On Friday, FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta explained that although both sides had reached an agreement over a new deal, the structure of the terms were not accepted by LaLiga.
As a consequence, Barca had to withdraw from the negotiations and Messi will now leave the Catalan giants.
The former Blaugrana captain himself has now explained his side of the story.
“These recent days I have been thinking about what I can say,” Messi said during a press conference.
“The truth is that I can’t think of anything. This is very difficult for me, being here my entire life. I’m not ready for this.
“My family and I were convinced that we were going to stay here, at our home. We thought we’d be staying here in Barcelona.
“Today I have to say goodbye to all of this. Since I was 13, after 21 years, I’m leaving with my wife and with my three little children. This is our home.”
