Messi Press Conference LIVE: PSG bound Messi to detail Barcelona exit at 12 PM; Follow LIVE updates- With eyes on a move to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Lionel Messi will give 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.
Messi Press Conference LIVE: 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 Press Conference LIVE: PSG bound Messi to detail Barcelona exit at 12 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.