between trying to calm himself and wiping away his tears in the face of a warm greeting from the audience;

It took Lionel Messi more than a minute to start his farewell press conference on Sunday in Barcelona;

Where the Argentine player spent his entire football career.

His first words - with tears streaming down his cheeks - were, "I don't know if I will be able to speak. This is without a doubt the most difficult moment of my career."

Messi, 34, who spent 21 years among Barcelona's ranks, continued to shed tears throughout the press conference, using a handkerchief given to him by his wife, Antonella Roccuzzo, who was sitting in the first row with their three children.

The press conference ended with another round of applause.

"I grew up in the club and became the man I am here. I feel very sad because I have to leave this club, this club that I love. I did not expect that," Messi said, adding that he and his family were convinced they would stay at Barcelona and wanted it "more than anything." another thing".

The moment Lionel Messi entered the press conference # Messi # Messi_ leaving_ Barcelona # Messi # MessiLeavingBarca pic.twitter.com/sKhelh97Wy

— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) August 8, 2021

However, Messi said he wants to keep playing and winning trophies "as long as he can", and that he is in talks with PSG about a potential contract.

The best player in the world - for 6 times - had cried before, after Barcelona's 3-2 defeat against Chelsea in the 2012 Champions League semi-final and after losing the 2016 Copa America final with Argentina against Chile.

A warm applause from everyone after Messi finished his words #Messi |

#Barcelona #Messi |

#Barcelona pic.twitter.com/Cbs5TiDEFb

— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) August 8, 2021

Messi also cried farewell to his former Barcelona teammate Andres Iniesta, who left the club in 2018, and he also cried - but this time happily - when Argentina won the Copa America last July after beating Brazil 1-0.

Both Barcelona, ​​which had suffered heavy losses recently, and Messi wanted to sign a new contract;

But the Argentine player's contract would have raised the club's wage bill to 110% of his revenue, even after he agreed to cut his salary by 50%.

Barcelona said this would put the club's future at risk given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to comply with La Liga financial rules.