🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 16 (from laksa036)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa016.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/58137262\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/58137262\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/58137262","crawl_time":1773406989,"first_indexed_time":1628422484,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,bbc!www,\/sport\/football\/58137262 s443","src_root_hash":"1643509356818581016","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Lionel Messi: Paris St-Germain move 'a possibility' after Barcelona exit - BBC Sport","meta_descriptions":["A tearful Lionel Messi says joining Paris St-Germain from Barcelona is \"a possibility, but nothing is agreed\"."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Media caption,\nLionel Messi in tears as he receives ovation from Barcelona at news conference\nAn emotional Lionel Messi said joining Paris St-Germain was \"a possibility, but nothing is agreed\" as he confirmed his exit from Barcelona.\nMessi is ending his 21-year association with Barca, who\ncannot afford to honour the new contract they agreed\nwith him because of La Liga's salary limit.\nThe record six-time Ballon d'Or winner, 34, is now a free agent.\n\"My family and I were convinced we were going to stay here, at home,\" he said during a news conference on Sunday.\n\"This is the end with this club and now a new story will begin,\" added the Argentina forward. \"Yes, it's one of the most difficult moments for me.\n\"I don't want to leave this club - it's a club I love and this is a moment I didn't expect.\n\"Last year I wanted to leave, this year I wanted to stay. That's why I'm so sad.\n\"It was like my blood ran cold. I was really sad. It was really difficult right up to now. I'm still trying to process it all.\n\"When I get home I will still feel bad; it will be even worse. I'm not ready for this.\"\nWhat else did Messi say?\nImage source,\nGetty Images\nImage caption,\nLionel Messi won 35 trophies with Barcelona after making his first-team debut aged 17 in October 2004\nMessi, Barcelona's record goalscorer,\nsubmitted a transfer request\nlast summer before agreeing to stay for the final year of his contract.\nThat expired on 1 July and Messi is now\nin talks over a move to PSG,\nwhere he would play alongside Kylian Mbappe and former Barca team-mate Neymar.\n\"It is a possibility, but I have not agreed anything with anyone,\" he said. \"I have got different clubs interested. Nothing is definitive but clearly we are talking to them.\"\nMessi left Argentina for Spain when he was 13 and made his first-team debut for Barcelona aged 17 in October 2004.\nHe went on to score 672 goals in 778 games and helped the Spanish giants win 35 trophies, replicas of which were displayed at his news conference at the Nou Camp.\n\"I'm so grateful for the love that everyone's shown me, for all my team-mates, and the club being by my side,\" he said. \"Today I have to say goodbye to all this.\n\"I arrived when I was very young, 13 years old, and after 21 years I am leaving with my wife and three Catalan-Argentine children.\n\"I cannot be more proud of everything I did and lived in this city. I have no doubt that, after a few years away, we will return because it is our home.\"\nMessi added: \"I'm leaving the club without seeing the fans for over a year and a half [due to the pandemic]. If I imagined it, I would imagine the Camp Nou full, and to say goodbye properly. But it has to be this way.\"\nWhy is Messi leaving Barcelona?\nMedia caption,\nLionel Messi: Ten great goals for Barcelona\nMessi looked set to extend his stay at the Nou Camp having\nagreed a new five-year contract\nin July, halving the\n£123m a season he reportedly received\nin his previous contract.\nThe agreement was dependent on player departures to get Barca's wage bill under La Liga's limit, however, and the club were unable to do so.\n\"I offered to reduce my salary by 50% and they didn't ask me for anything else,\" Messi said. \"It is not true that they asked me for anything more.\n\"I only know that it was not possible because of La Liga, because the club did not want to go into more debt.\"\nBarcelona president Joan Laporta said on Friday that trying to keep Messi could have put the club at risk for 50 years.\nOnce it became clear Barca were unable to honour the contract they had agreed with Messi, his representatives contacted PSG, but wherever Messi goes next, he said he wants to \"play my last years competing for titles\".\nHe also had a warning for his former Barca team-mate Dani Alves after the 38-year-old right-back\nhelped Brazil win Olympic gold\nto extend his record for career titles to 43.\n\"I congratulate Dani Alves and warn him that I am going to fight to catch up with him and surpass him,\" Messi added. \"It's my mentality. I have to find my way to keep competing and winning.\"\n'Imagining the club without you is difficult'\nImage source,\nReuters\nImage caption,\nHundreds of fans were at the Nou Camp and his family were on the front row at the news conference, with Messi's wife Antonella handing him a tissue\nHundreds of fans gathered outside the Nou Camp and several of Barcelona's first-team players were also in attendance.\nMessi was in tears as he walked on to the stage and he received a round of applause before, during and after his news conference.\nAndres Iniesta\n, who won the Champions League four times with Messi, tweeted: \"We shared magical moments and always stayed together. Imagining the club without you or being able to see you at the Camp Nou with another shirt is difficult.\"\nXavi Hernandez\n, another member of that legendary Barca midfield, added: \"I can only thank you for everything you have given us during these years. Whatever you do, I wish you the best.\"\nCurrent Barca captain\nGerard Pique\nsaid: \"Nothing will ever be the same again. Not the Camp Nou, not the city of Barcelona, not ourselves. The reality, sometimes, is very harsh.\"\nThis X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.\nView original content on X\nThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.\nSkip X post by Gary Lineker 💙\nAllow X content?\nThis article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read\nX’s cookie policy\n, external\nand\nprivacy policy\n, external\nbefore accepting. To view this content choose\n‘accept and continue’\n.\nThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.\nThis X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.\nView original content on X\nThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.\nSkip X post 2 by Fabrizio Romano\nAllow X content?\nThis article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read\nX’s cookie policy\n, external\nand\nprivacy policy\n, external\nbefore accepting. To view this content choose\n‘accept and continue’\n.\nThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.\nLionel Messi's transfer timeline\n25 August 2020\n- Messi sends a fax to the club saying he wishes to\nexercise a clause in his contract\n, allowing him to leave for free with immediate effect.\n4 September 2020\n-\nMessi says he is staying at Barcelona\nbecause it is \"impossible\" for any team to pay his 700m euro (£624m) release clause, which the club insist would have to be met.\n27 October 2020\n- Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu, who had fallen out with Messi over his failed transfer request,\nresigns.\n28 December 2020\n- Messi says he hopes\nto one day play in the United States\n, but is unsure of his future when his contract runs out.\n31 January 2021\n- Barcelona say they will take \"appropriate legal action\" against Spanish newspaper El Mundo after it\npublished details of Messi's contract\n, worth £492m over four years.\n16 May 2021\n- Manager Ronald Koeman says he hopes Messi has not played his final home game for the club after a\n2-1 defeat by Celta Vigo\nended their title hopes and meant they finished outside the top two for the first time since 2007-08.\n22 May 2021\n- Paris St-Germain are believed to be\n\"looking closely\" at Messi's contract\nsituation.\n28 May 2021\n- Barcelona president Joan Laporta says a new contract for Lionel Messi is\n\"not done yet\"\nbut that \"things are going well\".\n1 July 2021\n- Messi's Barcelona contract expires and he\nbecomes a free agent.\n15 July 2021\n-\nMessi agrees to stay with Barca\non a deal until 2026 that includes reducing his wages.\n5 August 2021\n- Barcelona announce Messi will leave the club \"because of financial and structural obstacles\".","attrs_markdown":"[BBC Homepage](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/)\n\n- [Skip to content](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/58137262#main-heading)\n- [Accessibility Help](https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/accessibility\/)\n\n- [Sign 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Day](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/programmes\/b007t9y1)\n- [Sports Personality](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/sports-personality)\n- [5 Live Sport](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/programmes\/b0070hx6)\n- [News Feeds](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/15890345)\n- [Help & FAQs](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/15561348)\n\n- [European Football](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/european)\n- [Scores & Fixtures](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/european\/scores-fixtures)\n- [Table](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/champions-league\/table)\n- [Champions League](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/champions-league)\n- [Europa League](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/europa-league)\n\n# Lionel Messi: Paris St-Germain move 'a possibility' after Barcelona exit\nShare\n\nclose panel\n\nShare page\n\nCopy link\n\n[About sharing](https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/usingthebbc\/terms\/can-i-share-things-from-the-bbc)\n\n## To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.\nThis video can not be played\n\nMedia caption,\n\nLionel Messi in tears as he receives ovation from Barcelona at news conference\n\n**An emotional Lionel Messi said joining Paris St-Germain was \"a possibility, but nothing is agreed\" as he confirmed his exit from Barcelona.**\n\nMessi is ending his 21-year association with Barca, who [cannot afford to honour the new contract they agreed](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/58114034) with him because of La Liga's salary limit.\n\nThe record six-time Ballon d'Or winner, 34, is now a free agent.\n\n\"My family and I were convinced we were going to stay here, at home,\" he said during a news conference on Sunday.\n\n\"This is the end with this club and now a new story will begin,\" added the Argentina forward. \"Yes, it's one of the most difficult moments for me.\n\n- [Messi says goodbye to Barcelona - as it happened](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/live\/football\/58135375)\n\n\"I don't want to leave this club - it's a club I love and this is a moment I didn't expect.\n\n\"Last year I wanted to leave, this year I wanted to stay. That's why I'm so sad.\n\n\"It was like my blood ran cold. I was really sad. It was really difficult right up to now. I'm still trying to process it all.\n\n\"When I get home I will still feel bad; it will be even worse. I'm not ready for this.\"\n## What else did Messi say?\n![Replicas of the 35 trophies Lionel Messi has won with Barcelona](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/E559\/production\/_119831785_gettyimages-1234563150.jpg)\n\nImage source, Getty Images\n\nImage caption,\n\nLionel Messi won 35 trophies with Barcelona after making his first-team debut aged 17 in October 2004\n\nMessi, Barcelona's record goalscorer, [submitted a transfer request](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/53911105) last summer before agreeing to stay for the final year of his contract.\n\nThat expired on 1 July and Messi is now [in talks over a move to PSG,](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/58128763) where he would play alongside Kylian Mbappe and former Barca team-mate Neymar.\n\n\"It is a possibility, but I have not agreed anything with anyone,\" he said. \"I have got different clubs interested. Nothing is definitive but clearly we are talking to them.\"\n\nMessi left Argentina for Spain when he was 13 and made his first-team debut for Barcelona aged 17 in October 2004.\n\nHe went on to score 672 goals in 778 games and helped the Spanish giants win 35 trophies, replicas of which were displayed at his news conference at the Nou Camp.\n\n- [Would Messi give PSG football's best front three?](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/58128764)\n\n\"I'm so grateful for the love that everyone's shown me, for all my team-mates, and the club being by my side,\" he said. \"Today I have to say goodbye to all this.\n\n\"I arrived when I was very young, 13 years old, and after 21 years I am leaving with my wife and three Catalan-Argentine children.\n\n\"I cannot be more proud of everything I did and lived in this city. I have no doubt that, after a few years away, we will return because it is our home.\"\n\nMessi added: \"I'm leaving the club without seeing the fans for over a year and a half \\[due to the pandemic\\]. If I imagined it, I would imagine the Camp Nou full, and to say goodbye properly. But it has to be this way.\"\n## Why is Messi leaving Barcelona?\n## To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.\nThis video can not be played\n\nMedia caption,\n\nLionel Messi: Ten great goals for Barcelona\n\nMessi looked set to extend his stay at the Nou Camp having [agreed a new five-year contract](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/57836300) in July, halving the [£123m a season he reportedly received](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/57666280) in his previous contract.\n\nThe agreement was dependent on player departures to get Barca's wage bill under La Liga's limit, however, and the club were unable to do so.\n\n\"I offered to reduce my salary by 50% and they didn't ask me for anything else,\" Messi said. \"It is not true that they asked me for anything more.\n\n\"I only know that it was not possible because of La Liga, because the club did not want to go into more debt.\"\n\nBarcelona president Joan Laporta said on Friday that trying to keep Messi could have put the club at risk for 50 years.\n\nOnce it became clear Barca were unable to honour the contract they had agreed with Messi, his representatives contacted PSG, but wherever Messi goes next, he said he wants to \"play my last years competing for titles\".\n\nHe also had a warning for his former Barca team-mate Dani Alves after the 38-year-old right-back [helped Brazil win Olympic gold](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/58129614) to extend his record for career titles to 43.\n\n\"I congratulate Dani Alves and warn him that I am going to fight to catch up with him and surpass him,\" Messi added. \"It's my mentality. I have to find my way to keep competing and winning.\"\n## 'Imagining the club without you is difficult'\n![Fans gathered outside the Nou Camp for Lionel Messi's news conference on 8 August 2021](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/18199\/production\/_119831789_tv069275135.jpg)\n\nImage source, Reuters\n\nImage caption,\n\nHundreds of fans were at the Nou Camp and his family were on the front row at the news conference, with Messi's wife Antonella handing him a tissue\n\nHundreds of fans gathered outside the Nou Camp and several of Barcelona's first-team players were also in attendance.\n\nMessi was in tears as he walked on to the stage and he received a round of applause before, during and after his news conference.\n\n**Andres Iniesta**, who won the Champions League four times with Messi, tweeted: \"We shared magical moments and always stayed together. Imagining the club without you or being able to see you at the Camp Nou with another shirt is difficult.\"\n\n**Xavi Hernandez**, another member of that legendary Barca midfield, added: \"I can only thank you for everything you have given us during these years. Whatever you do, I wish you the best.\"\n\nCurrent Barca captain **Gerard Pique** said: \"Nothing will ever be the same again. Not the Camp Nou, not the city of Barcelona, not ourselves. The reality, sometimes, is very harsh.\"\n\nThis X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.[View original content on X](https:\/\/twitter.com\/GaryLineker\/status\/1424313211189440515)\n\nThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.\n\n[Skip X post by Gary Lineker 💙](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/58137262#end-of-twitter-content-1)\n\nAllow X content?\n\nThis article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read [X’s cookie policy, external](https:\/\/help.x.com\/en\/rules-and-policies\/x-cookies) and [privacy policy, external](https:\/\/x.com\/en\/privacy) before accepting. To view this content choose **‘accept and continue’**.\n\nAccept and continue\n\nThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.\n\nEnd of X post by Gary Lineker 💙\n\nThis X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.[View original content on X](https:\/\/twitter.com\/FabrizioRomano\/status\/1424313145997332481)\n\nThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.\n\n[Skip X post 2 by Fabrizio Romano](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/58137262#end-of-twitter-content-2)\n\nAllow X content?\n\nThis article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read [X’s cookie policy, external](https:\/\/help.x.com\/en\/rules-and-policies\/x-cookies) and [privacy policy, external](https:\/\/x.com\/en\/privacy) before accepting. To view this content choose **‘accept and continue’**.\n\nAccept and continue\n\nThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.\n\nEnd of X post 2 by Fabrizio Romano\n## Lionel Messi's transfer timeline\n**25 August 2020** - Messi sends a fax to the club saying he wishes to [exercise a clause in his contract](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/53911105), allowing him to leave for free with immediate effect.\n\n**4 September 2020** - [Messi says he is staying at Barcelona](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/54032101) because it is \"impossible\" for any team to pay his 700m euro (£624m) release clause, which the club insist would have to be met.\n\n**27 October 2020** - Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu, who had fallen out with Messi over his failed transfer request, [resigns.](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/54713209)\n\n**28 December 2020** - Messi says he hopes [to one day play in the United States](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/55464842), but is unsure of his future when his contract runs out.\n\n**31 January 2021** - Barcelona say they will take \"appropriate legal action\" against Spanish newspaper El Mundo after it [published details of Messi's contract](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/55873590), worth £492m over four years.\n\n**16 May 2021** - Manager Ronald Koeman says he hopes Messi has not played his final home game for the club after a [2-1 defeat by Celta Vigo](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/57138962) ended their title hopes and meant they finished outside the top two for the first time since 2007-08.\n\n**22 May 2021** - Paris St-Germain are believed to be [\"looking closely\" at Messi's contract](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/57213245) situation.\n\n**28 May 2021** - Barcelona president Joan Laporta says a new contract for Lionel Messi is [\"not done yet\"](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/57282922) but that \"things are going well\".\n\n**1 July 2021** - Messi's Barcelona contract expires and he [becomes a free agent.](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/57666280)\n\n**15 July 2021** - [Messi agrees to stay with Barca](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/57836300) on a deal until 2026 that includes reducing his wages.\n\n**5 August 2021** - Barcelona announce Messi will leave the club \"because of financial and structural obstacles\".\n\n![Around the BBC - Sounds](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/1920\/cpsprodpb\/7A0C\/production\/_112244213_soundsheaderv1-nc.png)\n\n- Team GB Takeover: [Find out these athletes' favourite One Hit Wonders](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sounds\/play\/m000y05p?xtor=CS8-1000-%5BIn_Article_Promo_Box%5D-%5BSport_Promo_In_Article%5D-%5BSport_Promo_In_Article_BBCSounds%5D-%5BPS_SOUNDS~~m000y05p~P_OneHitWondersWithOJBorg%5D)\n- Homegrown Heroes: [How it all started for Blossoms and why they are still true to Stockport](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sounds\/play\/p09qmykn?xtor=CS8-1000-%5BIn_Article_Promo_Box%5D-%5BSport_Promo_In_Article%5D-%5BSport_Promo_In_Article_BBCSounds%5D-%5BPS_SOUNDS~~p09qmykn~P_HomegrownHeroesBlossoms%5D)\n\n![Around the BBC footer - Sounds](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/1920\/cpsprodpb\/A11C\/production\/_112244214_soundsfooter-nc.png)\n\n## Related topics\n- [Spanish La Liga](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/spanish-la-liga)\n- [Barcelona](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/teams\/barcelona)\n- [Paris St-Germain](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/teams\/paris-st-germain)\n- [European Football](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/european)\n- [French Ligue 1](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/french-ligue-one)\n- [Football](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football)\n\n## Top stories\n- [The numbers behind Borthwick's nightmare Six Nations](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/rugby-union\/articles\/c5yjmkdlyjvo)\n- [Live. Cheltenham Festival: Gold Cup build-up as Henderson's Jango Baie backed in to favourite](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/horse-racing\/live\/ceqz1q8d20yt)\n- [Howe defends Gordon after Shearer and Keane criticism](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/articles\/cdxg5rv41xyo)\n\n## Elsewhere on the BBC\n- [Oscar-nominated Frankenstein and more movies that made Guillermo del Toro](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/iplayer\/episode\/p0mb2qn7\/movies-with-ali-plumb-movies-that-made-me-guillermo-del-toro?at_mid=VDbZplgdEy&at_campaign=Movies_With_Ali_Plumb_Movies_That_Made_Me_Guillermo_del_Toro&at_medium=display_ad&at_campaign_type=owned&at_nation=NET&at_audience_id=SS&at_product=iplayer&at_brand=p04b15fh&at_ptr_name=bbc&at_ptr_type=media&at_format=image&at_objective=consumption&at_link_title=Movies_With_Ali_Plumb_Movies_That_Made_Me_Guillermo_del_Toro&at_bbc_team=BBC)\n  \n  - Attribution\n    [iPlayer](https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/iplayer)\n  \n  Watchlist Add Movies With Ali Plumb to your Watchlist in iPlayer\n  \n  Watchlist\n  \n  Adding\n  \n  Watchlist\n  \n  Remove\n  \n  Removing\n  \n  close panel\n  \n  Added to Watchlist\n  \n  Movies With Ali Plumb has been added to your [iPlayer Watchlist](https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/iplayer\/watchlist).\n  \n  ![Movies that Made Me: Guillermo del Toro](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/8833\/live\/54629190-bf20-11f0-8456-eff94716b162.jpg)\n- [Celebrated actor Jessie Buckley picks her Desert Island Discs](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sounds\/play\/m002sckz?at_mid=gWfsPqgfzp&at_campaign=Desert_Island_Discs_Jessie_Buckley&at_medium=display_ad&at_campaign_type=owned&at_nation=NET&at_audience_id=SS&at_product=sounds&at_brand=b006qnmr&at_ptr_name=bbc&at_ptr_type=media&at_format=image&at_objective=consumption&at_link_title=Desert_Island_Discs_Jessie_Buckley&at_bbc_team=BBC)\n  \n  - Attribution\n    [Sounds](https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sounds)\n  \n  Subscribe Add Desert Island Discs to My Sounds\n  \n  Subscribe\n  \n  Subscribing\n  \n  Subscribed\n  \n  Unsubscribe\n  \n  Removing\n  \n  close panel\n  \n  Added to My Sounds\n  \n  Desert Island Discs has been added to your [My Sounds](https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sounds\/my\/subscribed).\n  \n  ![Desert Island Discs - Jessie Buckley](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/5260\/live\/47cae110-1eb8-11f1-9120-a910fc22c6ac.jpg)\n- [A new spin on Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/iplayer\/episodes\/m002qkp1\/watch\/p0n49zwd?at_mid=RdLMvWAKmd&at_campaign=BBC_Trailers_The_Other_Bennet_Sister&at_medium=display_ad&at_campaign_type=owned&at_nation=NET&at_audience_id=SS&at_product=iplayer&at_brand=m002qkp1&at_ptr_name=bbc&at_ptr_type=media&at_format=image&at_objective=consumption&at_link_title=BBC_Trailers_The_Other_Bennet_Sister&at_bbc_team=BBC)\n  \n  - Attribution\n    [iPlayer](https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/iplayer)\n  \n  Watchlist Add The Other Bennet Sister to your Watchlist in iPlayer\n  \n  Watchlist\n  \n  Adding\n  \n  Watchlist\n  \n  Remove\n  \n  Removing\n  \n  close panel\n  \n  Added to Watchlist\n  \n  The Other Bennet Sister has been added to your [iPlayer Watchlist](https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/iplayer\/watchlist).\n  \n  ![The Other Bennet Sister](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/cfa5\/live\/86107260-1c8c-11f1-9120-a910fc22c6ac.jpg)\n- [Behind the making of one of Hollywood's most quotable films](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sounds\/play\/w3ct7459?at_mid=I8Cl3KTXOr&at_campaign=Witness_History_Casablanca&at_medium=display_ad&at_campaign_type=owned&at_nation=NET&at_audience_id=SS&at_product=sounds&at_brand=p004t1hd&at_ptr_name=bbc&at_ptr_type=media&at_format=image&at_objective=consumption&at_link_title=Witness_History_Casablanca&at_bbc_team=BBC)\n  \n  - Attribution\n    [Sounds](https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sounds)\n  \n  Subscribe Add Witness History to My Sounds\n  \n  Subscribe\n  \n  Subscribing\n  \n  Subscribed\n  \n  Unsubscribe\n  \n  Removing\n  \n  close panel\n  \n  Added to My Sounds\n  \n  Witness History has been added to your [My Sounds](https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sounds\/my\/subscribed).\n  \n  ![Witness History - Casablanca](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/4935\/live\/8051e5f0-1eb9-11f1-b048-c9424b2cf5fd.jpg)\n\n## Elsewhere in Sport\n- ['Iran's women are heroes - they want to be free'](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/articles\/c1e95p9nqxdo)\n  \n  ![Iranian players, goalkeeper Raha Yazdani (R), Melika Motevalli (C) and Fatemeh Amineh, salute during the national anthem](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/562f\/live\/0cc16690-1e34-11f1-b7fb-092a0008fe58.jpg)\n- [The numbers behind Borthwick's nightmare Six Nations](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/rugby-union\/articles\/c5yjmkdlyjvo)\n  \n  ![England head coach Steve Borthwick looks on before the Six Nations meeting with Italy on 7 March 2026](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/d496\/live\/3c0d5410-1e41-11f1-801d-ed3cff6bf876.jpg)\n- ['Dream come true' - Redknapp eyes Jukebox Man Gold Cup win](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/horse-racing\/articles\/c2lry5n251po)\n  \n  ![Harry Redknapp touching the head of Jukebox Man](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/56ae\/live\/e589a980-1ca2-11f1-a15a-07cc22e70c6f.jpg)\n- [Players must believe in your methods - the mentality of winning a relegation battle](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/articles\/cvg37ryx1d5o)\n  \n  ![Going Direct - The Tony Pulis column](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/a08b\/live\/35d69260-b98c-11f0-aa13-0b0479f6f42a.jpg)\n- [How do Scots beat 'nemesis' Ireland for first time in 12 meetings?](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/rugby-union\/articles\/c3rz0jjl12eo)\n  \n  ![Scotland and Ireland players](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/06cc\/live\/048c0f30-1d6b-11f1-b048-c9424b2cf5fd.jpg)\n- [Why London Spirit spent £390,000 on uncapped Sussex all-rounder Coles](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/cricket\/articles\/c620459n77eo)\n  \n  ![James Coles](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/5245\/live\/634b8670-1e35-11f1-9120-a910fc22c6ac.jpg)\n- [From best in league to bench - 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The 'mixed' team event with one female player](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/ice-hockey\/articles\/cp81498elp4o)\n  \n  ![Slovakia's para-ice hockey team in a circle](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/ccd3\/live\/6c61b610-1bcb-11f1-801d-ed3cff6bf876.jpg)\n- [Old Firm chaos: What happened? Who said what? What now?](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/articles\/c743ymjm7k7o)\n  \n  ![Police officers on the pitch at Ibrox](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/0c9e\/live\/8ef01170-1bbe-11f1-801d-ed3cff6bf876.jpg)\n\n## Heart Pounders & Heart Warmers\n- [Jennifer Lawrence stars in this high-stakes dystopian film](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/iplayer\/episode\/m002p5wm?at_mid=bcepQHaSWW&at_campaign=The_Hunger_Games&at_medium=display_ad&at_campaign_type=owned&at_nation=NET&at_audience_id=SS&at_product=iplayer&at_brand=m002p5wm&at_ptr_name=bbc&at_ptr_type=media&at_format=image&at_objective=consumption&at_link_title=The_Hunger_Games&at_bbc_team=BBC)\n  \n  - Attribution\n    iPlayer\n  \n  Watchlist Add The Hunger Games to your Watchlist in iPlayer\n  \n  Watchlist\n  \n  Adding\n  \n  Watchlist\n  \n  Remove\n  \n  Removing\n  \n  close panel\n  \n  Added to Watchlist\n  \n  The Hunger Games has been added to your [iPlayer Watchlist](https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/iplayer\/watchlist).\n  \n  ![The Hunger Games](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/2488\/live\/c2eef9e0-df29-11f0-b67b-690eb873de1b.jpg)\n- [Stacey returns for more life-changing decluttering](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/iplayer\/episode\/m002shx4?at_mid=aii8cQJCS2&at_campaign=Sort_Your_Life_Out_S6_E1&at_medium=display_ad&at_campaign_type=owned&at_nation=NET&at_audience_id=SS&at_product=iplayer&at_brand=m00116n4&at_ptr_name=bbc&at_ptr_type=media&at_format=image&at_objective=consumption&at_link_title=Sort_Your_Life_Out_S6_E1&at_bbc_team=BBC)\n  \n  - Attribution\n    iPlayer\n  \n  Watchlist Add Sort Your Life Out to your Watchlist in iPlayer\n  \n  Watchlist\n  \n  Adding\n  \n  Watchlist\n  \n  Remove\n  \n  Removing\n  \n  close panel\n  \n  Added to Watchlist\n  \n  Sort Your Life Out has been added to your [iPlayer Watchlist](https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/iplayer\/watchlist).\n  \n  ![Sort Your Life Out](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/c8a8\/live\/469f12d0-1c69-11f1-9120-a910fc22c6ac.jpg)\n- [An unmissable stylish thriller from John Le Carré](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/iplayer\/episode\/m002p19g?at_mid=1kxF9U92sY&at_campaign=The_Night_Manager_S2&at_medium=display_ad&at_campaign_type=owned&at_nation=NET&at_audience_id=SS&at_product=iplayer&at_brand=p0fty7vj&at_ptr_name=bbc&at_ptr_type=media&at_format=image&at_objective=consumption&at_link_title=The_Night_Manager_S2&at_bbc_team=BBC)\n  \n  - Attribution\n    iPlayer\n  \n  Watchlist Add The Night Manager to your Watchlist in iPlayer\n  \n  Watchlist\n  \n  Adding\n  \n  Watchlist\n  \n  Remove\n  \n  Removing\n  \n  close panel\n  \n  Added to Watchlist\n  \n  The Night Manager has been added to your [iPlayer Watchlist](https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/iplayer\/watchlist).\n  \n  ![The Night Manager Series 2](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/cd46\/live\/56427e30-db45-11f0-aae2-2191c0e48a3b.jpg)\n- [Amanda and Alan's heartwarming Greek adventure](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/iplayer\/episode\/m002mt16?at_mid=zHbdhd38W2&at_campaign=Amanda_and_Alans_Greek_Job&at_medium=display_ad&at_campaign_type=owned&at_nation=NET&at_audience_id=SS&at_product=iplayer&at_brand=m002mt14&at_ptr_name=bbc&at_ptr_type=media&at_format=image&at_objective=consumption&at_link_title=Amanda_and_Alans_Greek_Job&at_bbc_team=BBC)\n  \n  - Attribution\n    iPlayer\n  \n  Watchlist Add Amanda & Alan's Greek Job to your Watchlist in iPlayer\n  \n  Watchlist\n  \n  Adding\n  \n  Watchlist\n  \n  Remove\n  \n  Removing\n  \n  close panel\n  \n  Added to Watchlist\n  \n  Amanda & Alan's Greek Job has been added to your [iPlayer Watchlist](https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/iplayer\/watchlist).\n  \n  ![Amanda & Alan's Greek Job](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/b80f\/live\/ab5949e0-db44-11f0-b67b-690eb873de1b.jpg)\n\n- [Home](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/)\n- [News](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news)\n- [Sport](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport)\n- [Business](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/business)\n- [Innovation](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/innovation)\n- [Culture](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/culture)\n- [Travel](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/travel)\n- [Earth](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/future-planet)\n- [Audio](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/audio)\n- [Video](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/video)\n- [Live](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/live)\n\n- [Terms of Use](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/pages\/terms-of-use)\n- [About the BBC](https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/aboutthebbc)\n- [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/pages\/privacy-policy)\n- [Cookies](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/usingthebbc\/cookies)\n- [Accessibility Help](https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/accessibility)\n- [Parental Guidance](https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/iplayer\/guidance)\n- [Contact the BBC](https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/contact)\n- [BBC emails for you](https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/bbcnewsletter)\n- [Advertise with us](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/advertisingcontact\/)\n- Do not share or sell my info\n\nCopyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. [Read about our approach to external linking.](https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/editorialguidelines\/guidance\/feeds-and-links)","attrs_readable_markdown":"Media caption,\n\nLionel Messi in tears as he receives ovation from Barcelona at news conference\n\n**An emotional Lionel Messi said joining Paris St-Germain was \"a possibility, but nothing is agreed\" as he confirmed his exit from Barcelona.**\n\nMessi is ending his 21-year association with Barca, who [cannot afford to honour the new contract they agreed](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/58114034) with him because of La Liga's salary limit.\n\nThe record six-time Ballon d'Or winner, 34, is now a free agent.\n\n\"My family and I were convinced we were going to stay here, at home,\" he said during a news conference on Sunday.\n\n\"This is the end with this club and now a new story will begin,\" added the Argentina forward. \"Yes, it's one of the most difficult moments for me.\n\n\"I don't want to leave this club - it's a club I love and this is a moment I didn't expect.\n\n\"Last year I wanted to leave, this year I wanted to stay. That's why I'm so sad.\n\n\"It was like my blood ran cold. I was really sad. It was really difficult right up to now. I'm still trying to process it all.\n\n\"When I get home I will still feel bad; it will be even worse. I'm not ready for this.\"\n\nWhat else did Messi say?\n\n![Replicas of the 35 trophies Lionel Messi has won with Barcelona](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/E559\/production\/_119831785_gettyimages-1234563150.jpg)Image source, Getty Images\n\nImage caption,\n\nLionel Messi won 35 trophies with Barcelona after making his first-team debut aged 17 in October 2004\n\nMessi, Barcelona's record goalscorer, [submitted a transfer request](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/53911105) last summer before agreeing to stay for the final year of his contract.\n\nThat expired on 1 July and Messi is now [in talks over a move to PSG,](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/58128763) where he would play alongside Kylian Mbappe and former Barca team-mate Neymar.\n\n\"It is a possibility, but I have not agreed anything with anyone,\" he said. \"I have got different clubs interested. Nothing is definitive but clearly we are talking to them.\"\n\nMessi left Argentina for Spain when he was 13 and made his first-team debut for Barcelona aged 17 in October 2004.\n\nHe went on to score 672 goals in 778 games and helped the Spanish giants win 35 trophies, replicas of which were displayed at his news conference at the Nou Camp.\n\n\"I'm so grateful for the love that everyone's shown me, for all my team-mates, and the club being by my side,\" he said. \"Today I have to say goodbye to all this.\n\n\"I arrived when I was very young, 13 years old, and after 21 years I am leaving with my wife and three Catalan-Argentine children.\n\n\"I cannot be more proud of everything I did and lived in this city. I have no doubt that, after a few years away, we will return because it is our home.\"\n\nMessi added: \"I'm leaving the club without seeing the fans for over a year and a half \\[due to the pandemic\\]. If I imagined it, I would imagine the Camp Nou full, and to say goodbye properly. But it has to be this way.\"\n\nWhy is Messi leaving Barcelona?\n\nMedia caption,\n\nLionel Messi: Ten great goals for Barcelona\n\nMessi looked set to extend his stay at the Nou Camp having [agreed a new five-year contract](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/57836300) in July, halving the [£123m a season he reportedly received](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/57666280) in his previous contract.\n\nThe agreement was dependent on player departures to get Barca's wage bill under La Liga's limit, however, and the club were unable to do so.\n\n\"I offered to reduce my salary by 50% and they didn't ask me for anything else,\" Messi said. \"It is not true that they asked me for anything more.\n\n\"I only know that it was not possible because of La Liga, because the club did not want to go into more debt.\"\n\nBarcelona president Joan Laporta said on Friday that trying to keep Messi could have put the club at risk for 50 years.\n\nOnce it became clear Barca were unable to honour the contract they had agreed with Messi, his representatives contacted PSG, but wherever Messi goes next, he said he wants to \"play my last years competing for titles\".\n\nHe also had a warning for his former Barca team-mate Dani Alves after the 38-year-old right-back [helped Brazil win Olympic gold](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/58129614) to extend his record for career titles to 43.\n\n\"I congratulate Dani Alves and warn him that I am going to fight to catch up with him and surpass him,\" Messi added. \"It's my mentality. I have to find my way to keep competing and winning.\"\n\n'Imagining the club without you is difficult'\n\n![Fans gathered outside the Nou Camp for Lionel Messi's news conference on 8 August 2021](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/18199\/production\/_119831789_tv069275135.jpg)Image source, Reuters\n\nImage caption,\n\nHundreds of fans were at the Nou Camp and his family were on the front row at the news conference, with Messi's wife Antonella handing him a tissue\n\nHundreds of fans gathered outside the Nou Camp and several of Barcelona's first-team players were also in attendance.\n\nMessi was in tears as he walked on to the stage and he received a round of applause before, during and after his news conference.\n\n**Andres Iniesta**, who won the Champions League four times with Messi, tweeted: \"We shared magical moments and always stayed together. Imagining the club without you or being able to see you at the Camp Nou with another shirt is difficult.\"\n\n**Xavi Hernandez**, another member of that legendary Barca midfield, added: \"I can only thank you for everything you have given us during these years. Whatever you do, I wish you the best.\"\n\nCurrent Barca captain **Gerard Pique** said: \"Nothing will ever be the same again. Not the Camp Nou, not the city of Barcelona, not ourselves. The reality, sometimes, is very harsh.\"\n\nThis X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.[View original content on X](https:\/\/twitter.com\/GaryLineker\/status\/1424313211189440515)\n\nThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.\n\n[Skip X post by Gary Lineker 💙](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/58137262#end-of-twitter-content-1)\n\nAllow X content?\n\nThis article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read [X’s cookie policy, external](https:\/\/help.x.com\/en\/rules-and-policies\/x-cookies) and [privacy policy, external](https:\/\/x.com\/en\/privacy) before accepting. To view this content choose **‘accept and continue’**.\n\nThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.\n\nThis X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.[View original content on X](https:\/\/twitter.com\/FabrizioRomano\/status\/1424313145997332481)\n\nThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.\n\n[Skip X post 2 by Fabrizio Romano](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/58137262#end-of-twitter-content-2)\n\nAllow X content?\n\nThis article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read [X’s cookie policy, external](https:\/\/help.x.com\/en\/rules-and-policies\/x-cookies) and [privacy policy, external](https:\/\/x.com\/en\/privacy) before accepting. To view this content choose **‘accept and continue’**.\n\nThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.\n\nLionel Messi's transfer timeline\n\n**25 August 2020** - Messi sends a fax to the club saying he wishes to [exercise a clause in his contract](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/53911105), allowing him to leave for free with immediate effect.\n\n**4 September 2020** - [Messi says he is staying at Barcelona](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/54032101) because it is \"impossible\" for any team to pay his 700m euro (£624m) release clause, which the club insist would have to be met.\n\n**27 October 2020** - Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu, who had fallen out with Messi over his failed transfer request, [resigns.](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/54713209)\n\n**28 December 2020** - Messi says he hopes [to one day play in the United States](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/55464842), but is unsure of his future when his contract runs out.\n\n**31 January 2021** - Barcelona say they will take \"appropriate legal action\" against Spanish newspaper El Mundo after it [published details of Messi's contract](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/55873590), worth £492m over four years.\n\n**16 May 2021** - Manager Ronald Koeman says he hopes Messi has not played his final home game for the club after a [2-1 defeat by Celta Vigo](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/57138962) ended their title hopes and meant they finished outside the top two for the first time since 2007-08.\n\n**22 May 2021** - Paris St-Germain are believed to be [\"looking closely\" at Messi's contract](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/57213245) situation.\n\n**28 May 2021** - Barcelona president Joan Laporta says a new contract for Lionel Messi is [\"not done yet\"](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/57282922) but that \"things are going well\".\n\n**1 July 2021** - Messi's Barcelona contract expires and he [becomes a free agent.](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/57666280)\n\n**15 July 2021** - [Messi agrees to stay with Barca](https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/57836300) on a deal until 2026 that includes reducing his wages.\n\n**5 August 2021** - Barcelona announce Messi will leave the club \"because of financial and structural obstacles\".\n\n![Around the BBC - Sounds](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/1920\/cpsprodpb\/7A0C\/production\/_112244213_soundsheaderv1-nc.png)\n\n![Around the BBC footer - Sounds](https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/1920\/cpsprodpb\/A11C\/production\/_112244214_soundsfooter-nc.png)","meta_canonical":null}

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Meta Title	Lionel Messi: Paris St-Germain move 'a possibility' after Barcelona exit - BBC Sport
Meta Description	A tearful Lionel Messi says joining Paris St-Germain from Barcelona is "a possibility, but nothing is agreed".
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Boilerpipe Text	Media caption, Lionel Messi in tears as he receives ovation from Barcelona at news conference An emotional Lionel Messi said joining Paris St-Germain was "a possibility, but nothing is agreed" as he confirmed his exit from Barcelona. Messi is ending his 21-year association with Barca, who cannot afford to honour the new contract they agreed with him because of La Liga's salary limit. The record six-time Ballon d'Or winner, 34, is now a free agent. "My family and I were convinced we were going to stay here, at home," he said during a news conference on Sunday. "This is the end with this club and now a new story will begin," added the Argentina forward. "Yes, it's one of the most difficult moments for me. "I don't want to leave this club - it's a club I love and this is a moment I didn't expect. "Last year I wanted to leave, this year I wanted to stay. That's why I'm so sad. "It was like my blood ran cold. I was really sad. It was really difficult right up to now. I'm still trying to process it all. "When I get home I will still feel bad; it will be even worse. I'm not ready for this." What else did Messi say? Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Lionel Messi won 35 trophies with Barcelona after making his first-team debut aged 17 in October 2004 Messi, Barcelona's record goalscorer, submitted a transfer request last summer before agreeing to stay for the final year of his contract. That expired on 1 July and Messi is now in talks over a move to PSG, where he would play alongside Kylian Mbappe and former Barca team-mate Neymar. "It is a possibility, but I have not agreed anything with anyone," he said. "I have got different clubs interested. Nothing is definitive but clearly we are talking to them." Messi left Argentina for Spain when he was 13 and made his first-team debut for Barcelona aged 17 in October 2004. He went on to score 672 goals in 778 games and helped the Spanish giants win 35 trophies, replicas of which were displayed at his news conference at the Nou Camp. "I'm so grateful for the love that everyone's shown me, for all my team-mates, and the club being by my side," he said. "Today I have to say goodbye to all this. "I arrived when I was very young, 13 years old, and after 21 years I am leaving with my wife and three Catalan-Argentine children. "I cannot be more proud of everything I did and lived in this city. I have no doubt that, after a few years away, we will return because it is our home." Messi added: "I'm leaving the club without seeing the fans for over a year and a half [due to the pandemic]. If I imagined it, I would imagine the Camp Nou full, and to say goodbye properly. But it has to be this way." Why is Messi leaving Barcelona? Media caption, Lionel Messi: Ten great goals for Barcelona Messi looked set to extend his stay at the Nou Camp having agreed a new five-year contract in July, halving the £123m a season he reportedly received in his previous contract. The agreement was dependent on player departures to get Barca's wage bill under La Liga's limit, however, and the club were unable to do so. "I offered to reduce my salary by 50% and they didn't ask me for anything else," Messi said. "It is not true that they asked me for anything more. "I only know that it was not possible because of La Liga, because the club did not want to go into more debt." Barcelona president Joan Laporta said on Friday that trying to keep Messi could have put the club at risk for 50 years. Once it became clear Barca were unable to honour the contract they had agreed with Messi, his representatives contacted PSG, but wherever Messi goes next, he said he wants to "play my last years competing for titles". He also had a warning for his former Barca team-mate Dani Alves after the 38-year-old right-back helped Brazil win Olympic gold to extend his record for career titles to 43. "I congratulate Dani Alves and warn him that I am going to fight to catch up with him and surpass him," Messi added. "It's my mentality. I have to find my way to keep competing and winning." 'Imagining the club without you is difficult' Image source, Reuters Image caption, Hundreds of fans were at the Nou Camp and his family were on the front row at the news conference, with Messi's wife Antonella handing him a tissue Hundreds of fans gathered outside the Nou Camp and several of Barcelona's first-team players were also in attendance. Messi was in tears as he walked on to the stage and he received a round of applause before, during and after his news conference. Andres Iniesta , who won the Champions League four times with Messi, tweeted: "We shared magical moments and always stayed together. Imagining the club without you or being able to see you at the Camp Nou with another shirt is difficult." Xavi Hernandez , another member of that legendary Barca midfield, added: "I can only thank you for everything you have given us during these years. Whatever you do, I wish you the best." Current Barca captain Gerard Pique said: "Nothing will ever be the same again. Not the Camp Nou, not the city of Barcelona, not ourselves. The reality, sometimes, is very harsh." This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser. View original content on X The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Skip X post by Gary Lineker 💙 Allow X content? This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy , external and privacy policy , external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’ . The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser. View original content on X The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Skip X post 2 by Fabrizio Romano Allow X content? This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy , external and privacy policy , external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’ . The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Lionel Messi's transfer timeline 25 August 2020 - Messi sends a fax to the club saying he wishes to exercise a clause in his contract , allowing him to leave for free with immediate effect. 4 September 2020 - Messi says he is staying at Barcelona because it is "impossible" for any team to pay his 700m euro (£624m) release clause, which the club insist would have to be met. 27 October 2020 - Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu, who had fallen out with Messi over his failed transfer request, resigns. 28 December 2020 - Messi says he hopes to one day play in the United States , but is unsure of his future when his contract runs out. 31 January 2021 - Barcelona say they will take "appropriate legal action" against Spanish newspaper El Mundo after it published details of Messi's contract , worth £492m over four years. 16 May 2021 - Manager Ronald Koeman says he hopes Messi has not played his final home game for the club after a 2-1 defeat by Celta Vigo ended their title hopes and meant they finished outside the top two for the first time since 2007-08. 22 May 2021 - Paris St-Germain are believed to be "looking closely" at Messi's contract situation. 28 May 2021 - Barcelona president Joan Laporta says a new contract for Lionel Messi is "not done yet" but that "things are going well". 1 July 2021 - Messi's Barcelona contract expires and he becomes a free agent. 15 July 2021 - Messi agrees to stay with Barca on a deal until 2026 that includes reducing his wages. 5 August 2021 - Barcelona announce Messi will leave the club "because of financial and structural obstacles".
Markdown	[BBC Homepage](https://www.bbc.com/) - [Skip to content](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/58137262#main-heading) - [Accessibility Help](https://www.bbc.co.uk/accessibility/) - [Sign in](https://session.bbc.com/session?lang=en-GB&ptrt=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.com%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2F58137262&userOrigin=SPORT_PS&sequenceId=09597157-fc73-43bd-8147-2cd1c28dc1c3) - [Home](https://www.bbc.com/) - [News](https://www.bbc.com/news) - [Sport](https://www.bbc.com/sport) - [Business](https://www.bbc.com/business) - [Innovation](https://www.bbc.com/innovation) - [Culture](https://www.bbc.com/culture) - [Travel](https://www.bbc.com/travel) - [Earth](https://www.bbc.com/future-planet) - [Audio](https://www.bbc.com/audio) - [Video](https://www.bbc.com/video) - [Live](https://www.bbc.com/live) - [More menu](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/58137262#global-navigation-more-menu) [More menu](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/58137262#global-navigation-more-menu) [Search BBC](https://www.bbc.com/search?d=SPORT_PS) - [Home](https://www.bbc.com/) - [News](https://www.bbc.com/news) - [Sport](https://www.bbc.com/sport) - [Business](https://www.bbc.com/business) - [Innovation](https://www.bbc.com/innovation) - [Culture](https://www.bbc.com/culture) - [Travel](https://www.bbc.com/travel) - [Earth](https://www.bbc.com/future-planet) - [Audio](https://www.bbc.com/audio) - [Video](https://www.bbc.com/video) - [Live](https://www.bbc.com/live) Close menu [BBC Sport](https://www.bbc.com/sport) [Menu](https://www.bbc.com/sport/all-sports) - [Home](https://www.bbc.com/sport) - [Football](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football) - [Cricket](https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket) - [Formula 1](https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1) - [Rugby U](https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union) - [Rugby L](https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-league) - [Tennis](https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis) - [Golf](https://www.bbc.com/sport/golf) - [Boxing](https://www.bbc.com/sport/boxing) - [Athletics](https://www.bbc.com/sport/athletics) - [My Sport](https://www.bbc.com/sport/my) [More](https://www.bbc.com/sport/all-sports) A-Z Sports - [American Football](https://www.bbc.com/sport/american-football) - [Athletics](https://www.bbc.com/sport/athletics) - [Basketball](https://www.bbc.com/sport/basketball) - [Boxing](https://www.bbc.com/sport/boxing) - [Cricket](https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket) - [Cycling](https://www.bbc.com/sport/cycling) - [Darts](https://www.bbc.com/sport/darts) - [Disability Sport](https://www.bbc.com/sport/disability-sport) - [Football](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football) - [Formula 1](https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1) - [Gaelic Games](https://www.bbc.com/sport/northern-ireland/gaelic-games) - [Golf](https://www.bbc.com/sport/golf) - [Gymnastics](https://www.bbc.com/sport/gymnastics) - [Horse Racing](https://www.bbc.com/sport/horse-racing) - [Mixed Martial Arts](https://www.bbc.com/sport/mixed-martial-arts) - [Motorsport](https://www.bbc.com/sport/motorsport) - [Netball](https://www.bbc.com/sport/netball) - [Olympic Sports](https://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics) - [Rugby League](https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-league) - [Rugby Union](https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union) - [Snooker](https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker) - [Swimming](https://www.bbc.com/sport/swimming) - [Tennis](https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis) - [Winter Paralympics](https://www.bbc.com/sport/winter-sports) - [Full Sports A-Z](https://www.bbc.com/sport/all-sports) More from Sport - [England](https://www.bbc.com/sport/england) - [Scotland](https://www.bbc.com/sport/scotland) - [Wales](https://www.bbc.com/sport/wales) - [Northern Ireland](https://www.bbc.com/sport/northern-ireland) - [My Sport](https://www.bbc.com/sport/my-sport) - [Match of the Day](https://www.bbc.com/programmes/b007t9y1) - [Sports Personality](https://www.bbc.com/sport/sports-personality) - [5 Live Sport](https://www.bbc.com/programmes/b0070hx6) - [News Feeds](https://www.bbc.com/sport/15890345) - [Help & FAQs](https://www.bbc.com/sport/15561348) - [European Football](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/european) - [Scores & Fixtures](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/european/scores-fixtures) - [Table](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/champions-league/table) - [Champions League](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/champions-league) - [Europa League](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/europa-league) # Lionel Messi: Paris St-Germain move 'a possibility' after Barcelona exit Share close panel Share page Copy link [About sharing](https://www.bbc.co.uk/usingthebbc/terms/can-i-share-things-from-the-bbc) ## To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. This video can not be played Media caption, Lionel Messi in tears as he receives ovation from Barcelona at news conference An emotional Lionel Messi said joining Paris St-Germain was "a possibility, but nothing is agreed" as he confirmed his exit from Barcelona. Messi is ending his 21-year association with Barca, who [cannot afford to honour the new contract they agreed](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/58114034) with him because of La Liga's salary limit. The record six-time Ballon d'Or winner, 34, is now a free agent. "My family and I were convinced we were going to stay here, at home," he said during a news conference on Sunday. "This is the end with this club and now a new story will begin," added the Argentina forward. "Yes, it's one of the most difficult moments for me. - [Messi says goodbye to Barcelona - as it happened](https://www.bbc.com/sport/live/football/58135375) "I don't want to leave this club - it's a club I love and this is a moment I didn't expect. "Last year I wanted to leave, this year I wanted to stay. That's why I'm so sad. "It was like my blood ran cold. I was really sad. It was really difficult right up to now. I'm still trying to process it all. "When I get home I will still feel bad; it will be even worse. I'm not ready for this." ## What else did Messi say? ![Replicas of the 35 trophies Lionel Messi has won with Barcelona](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/624/cpsprodpb/E559/production/_119831785_gettyimages-1234563150.jpg) Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Lionel Messi won 35 trophies with Barcelona after making his first-team debut aged 17 in October 2004 Messi, Barcelona's record goalscorer, [submitted a transfer request](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/53911105) last summer before agreeing to stay for the final year of his contract. That expired on 1 July and Messi is now [in talks over a move to PSG,](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/58128763) where he would play alongside Kylian Mbappe and former Barca team-mate Neymar. "It is a possibility, but I have not agreed anything with anyone," he said. "I have got different clubs interested. Nothing is definitive but clearly we are talking to them." Messi left Argentina for Spain when he was 13 and made his first-team debut for Barcelona aged 17 in October 2004. He went on to score 672 goals in 778 games and helped the Spanish giants win 35 trophies, replicas of which were displayed at his news conference at the Nou Camp. - [Would Messi give PSG football's best front three?](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/58128764) "I'm so grateful for the love that everyone's shown me, for all my team-mates, and the club being by my side," he said. "Today I have to say goodbye to all this. "I arrived when I was very young, 13 years old, and after 21 years I am leaving with my wife and three Catalan-Argentine children. "I cannot be more proud of everything I did and lived in this city. I have no doubt that, after a few years away, we will return because it is our home." Messi added: "I'm leaving the club without seeing the fans for over a year and a half \[due to the pandemic\]. If I imagined it, I would imagine the Camp Nou full, and to say goodbye properly. But it has to be this way." ## Why is Messi leaving Barcelona? ## To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. This video can not be played Media caption, Lionel Messi: Ten great goals for Barcelona Messi looked set to extend his stay at the Nou Camp having [agreed a new five-year contract](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/57836300) in July, halving the [£123m a season he reportedly received](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/57666280) in his previous contract. The agreement was dependent on player departures to get Barca's wage bill under La Liga's limit, however, and the club were unable to do so. "I offered to reduce my salary by 50% and they didn't ask me for anything else," Messi said. "It is not true that they asked me for anything more. "I only know that it was not possible because of La Liga, because the club did not want to go into more debt." Barcelona president Joan Laporta said on Friday that trying to keep Messi could have put the club at risk for 50 years. Once it became clear Barca were unable to honour the contract they had agreed with Messi, his representatives contacted PSG, but wherever Messi goes next, he said he wants to "play my last years competing for titles". He also had a warning for his former Barca team-mate Dani Alves after the 38-year-old right-back [helped Brazil win Olympic gold](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/58129614) to extend his record for career titles to 43. "I congratulate Dani Alves and warn him that I am going to fight to catch up with him and surpass him," Messi added. "It's my mentality. I have to find my way to keep competing and winning." ## 'Imagining the club without you is difficult' ![Fans gathered outside the Nou Camp for Lionel Messi's news conference on 8 August 2021](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/624/cpsprodpb/18199/production/_119831789_tv069275135.jpg) Image source, Reuters Image caption, Hundreds of fans were at the Nou Camp and his family were on the front row at the news conference, with Messi's wife Antonella handing him a tissue Hundreds of fans gathered outside the Nou Camp and several of Barcelona's first-team players were also in attendance. Messi was in tears as he walked on to the stage and he received a round of applause before, during and after his news conference. Andres Iniesta, who won the Champions League four times with Messi, tweeted: "We shared magical moments and always stayed together. Imagining the club without you or being able to see you at the Camp Nou with another shirt is difficult." Xavi Hernandez, another member of that legendary Barca midfield, added: "I can only thank you for everything you have given us during these years. Whatever you do, I wish you the best." Current Barca captain Gerard Pique said: "Nothing will ever be the same again. Not the Camp Nou, not the city of Barcelona, not ourselves. The reality, sometimes, is very harsh." This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.[View original content on X](https://twitter.com/GaryLineker/status/1424313211189440515) The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. [Skip X post by Gary Lineker 💙](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/58137262#end-of-twitter-content-1) Allow X content? This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. 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End of X post 2 by Fabrizio Romano ## Lionel Messi's transfer timeline 25 August 2020 - Messi sends a fax to the club saying he wishes to [exercise a clause in his contract](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/53911105), allowing him to leave for free with immediate effect. 4 September 2020 - [Messi says he is staying at Barcelona](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54032101) because it is "impossible" for any team to pay his 700m euro (£624m) release clause, which the club insist would have to be met. 27 October 2020 - Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu, who had fallen out with Messi over his failed transfer request, [resigns.](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54713209) 28 December 2020 - Messi says he hopes [to one day play in the United States](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/55464842), but is unsure of his future when his contract runs out. 31 January 2021 - Barcelona say they will take "appropriate legal action" against Spanish newspaper El Mundo after it [published details of Messi's contract](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/55873590), worth £492m over four years. 16 May 2021 - Manager Ronald Koeman says he hopes Messi has not played his final home game for the club after a [2-1 defeat by Celta Vigo](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/57138962) ended their title hopes and meant they finished outside the top two for the first time since 2007-08. 22 May 2021 - Paris St-Germain are believed to be ["looking closely" at Messi's contract](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/57213245) situation. 28 May 2021 - Barcelona president Joan Laporta says a new contract for Lionel Messi is ["not done yet"](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/57282922) but that "things are going well". 1 July 2021 - Messi's Barcelona contract expires and he [becomes a free agent.](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/57666280) 15 July 2021 - [Messi agrees to stay with Barca](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/57836300) on a deal until 2026 that includes reducing his wages. 5 August 2021 - Barcelona announce Messi will leave the club "because of financial and structural obstacles". ![Around the BBC - Sounds](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/1920/cpsprodpb/7A0C/production/_112244213_soundsheaderv1-nc.png) - Team GB Takeover: [Find out these athletes' favourite One Hit Wonders](https://www.bbc.com/sounds/play/m000y05p?xtor=CS8-1000-%5BIn_Article_Promo_Box%5D-%5BSport_Promo_In_Article%5D-%5BSport_Promo_In_Article_BBCSounds%5D-%5BPS_SOUNDS~~m000y05p~P_OneHitWondersWithOJBorg%5D) - Homegrown Heroes: [How it all started for Blossoms and why they are still true to Stockport](https://www.bbc.com/sounds/play/p09qmykn?xtor=CS8-1000-%5BIn_Article_Promo_Box%5D-%5BSport_Promo_In_Article%5D-%5BSport_Promo_In_Article_BBCSounds%5D-%5BPS_SOUNDS~~p09qmykn~P_HomegrownHeroesBlossoms%5D) ![Around the BBC footer - Sounds](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/1920/cpsprodpb/A11C/production/_112244214_soundsfooter-nc.png) ## Related topics - [Spanish La Liga](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/spanish-la-liga) - [Barcelona](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/teams/barcelona) - [Paris St-Germain](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/teams/paris-st-germain) - [European Football](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/european) - [French Ligue 1](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/french-ligue-one) - [Football](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football) ## Top stories - [The numbers behind Borthwick's nightmare Six Nations](https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/articles/c5yjmkdlyjvo) - [Live. 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Readable Markdown	Media caption, Lionel Messi in tears as he receives ovation from Barcelona at news conference An emotional Lionel Messi said joining Paris St-Germain was "a possibility, but nothing is agreed" as he confirmed his exit from Barcelona. Messi is ending his 21-year association with Barca, who [cannot afford to honour the new contract they agreed](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/58114034) with him because of La Liga's salary limit. The record six-time Ballon d'Or winner, 34, is now a free agent. "My family and I were convinced we were going to stay here, at home," he said during a news conference on Sunday. "This is the end with this club and now a new story will begin," added the Argentina forward. "Yes, it's one of the most difficult moments for me. "I don't want to leave this club - it's a club I love and this is a moment I didn't expect. "Last year I wanted to leave, this year I wanted to stay. That's why I'm so sad. "It was like my blood ran cold. I was really sad. It was really difficult right up to now. I'm still trying to process it all. "When I get home I will still feel bad; it will be even worse. I'm not ready for this." What else did Messi say? ![Replicas of the 35 trophies Lionel Messi has won with Barcelona](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/624/cpsprodpb/E559/production/_119831785_gettyimages-1234563150.jpg)Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Lionel Messi won 35 trophies with Barcelona after making his first-team debut aged 17 in October 2004 Messi, Barcelona's record goalscorer, [submitted a transfer request](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/53911105) last summer before agreeing to stay for the final year of his contract. That expired on 1 July and Messi is now [in talks over a move to PSG,](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/58128763) where he would play alongside Kylian Mbappe and former Barca team-mate Neymar. "It is a possibility, but I have not agreed anything with anyone," he said. "I have got different clubs interested. Nothing is definitive but clearly we are talking to them." Messi left Argentina for Spain when he was 13 and made his first-team debut for Barcelona aged 17 in October 2004. He went on to score 672 goals in 778 games and helped the Spanish giants win 35 trophies, replicas of which were displayed at his news conference at the Nou Camp. "I'm so grateful for the love that everyone's shown me, for all my team-mates, and the club being by my side," he said. "Today I have to say goodbye to all this. "I arrived when I was very young, 13 years old, and after 21 years I am leaving with my wife and three Catalan-Argentine children. "I cannot be more proud of everything I did and lived in this city. I have no doubt that, after a few years away, we will return because it is our home." Messi added: "I'm leaving the club without seeing the fans for over a year and a half \[due to the pandemic\]. If I imagined it, I would imagine the Camp Nou full, and to say goodbye properly. But it has to be this way." Why is Messi leaving Barcelona? Media caption, Lionel Messi: Ten great goals for Barcelona Messi looked set to extend his stay at the Nou Camp having [agreed a new five-year contract](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/57836300) in July, halving the [£123m a season he reportedly received](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/57666280) in his previous contract. The agreement was dependent on player departures to get Barca's wage bill under La Liga's limit, however, and the club were unable to do so. "I offered to reduce my salary by 50% and they didn't ask me for anything else," Messi said. "It is not true that they asked me for anything more. "I only know that it was not possible because of La Liga, because the club did not want to go into more debt." Barcelona president Joan Laporta said on Friday that trying to keep Messi could have put the club at risk for 50 years. Once it became clear Barca were unable to honour the contract they had agreed with Messi, his representatives contacted PSG, but wherever Messi goes next, he said he wants to "play my last years competing for titles". He also had a warning for his former Barca team-mate Dani Alves after the 38-year-old right-back [helped Brazil win Olympic gold](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/58129614) to extend his record for career titles to 43. "I congratulate Dani Alves and warn him that I am going to fight to catch up with him and surpass him," Messi added. "It's my mentality. I have to find my way to keep competing and winning." 'Imagining the club without you is difficult' ![Fans gathered outside the Nou Camp for Lionel Messi's news conference on 8 August 2021](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/624/cpsprodpb/18199/production/_119831789_tv069275135.jpg)Image source, Reuters Image caption, Hundreds of fans were at the Nou Camp and his family were on the front row at the news conference, with Messi's wife Antonella handing him a tissue Hundreds of fans gathered outside the Nou Camp and several of Barcelona's first-team players were also in attendance. Messi was in tears as he walked on to the stage and he received a round of applause before, during and after his news conference. Andres Iniesta, who won the Champions League four times with Messi, tweeted: "We shared magical moments and always stayed together. Imagining the club without you or being able to see you at the Camp Nou with another shirt is difficult." Xavi Hernandez, another member of that legendary Barca midfield, added: "I can only thank you for everything you have given us during these years. Whatever you do, I wish you the best." Current Barca captain Gerard Pique said: "Nothing will ever be the same again. Not the Camp Nou, not the city of Barcelona, not ourselves. The reality, sometimes, is very harsh." This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.[View original content on X](https://twitter.com/GaryLineker/status/1424313211189440515) The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. [Skip X post by Gary Lineker 💙](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/58137262#end-of-twitter-content-1) Allow X content? This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. 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To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Lionel Messi's transfer timeline 25 August 2020 - Messi sends a fax to the club saying he wishes to [exercise a clause in his contract](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/53911105), allowing him to leave for free with immediate effect. 4 September 2020 - [Messi says he is staying at Barcelona](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54032101) because it is "impossible" for any team to pay his 700m euro (£624m) release clause, which the club insist would have to be met. 27 October 2020 - Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu, who had fallen out with Messi over his failed transfer request, [resigns.](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54713209) 28 December 2020 - Messi says he hopes [to one day play in the United States](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/55464842), but is unsure of his future when his contract runs out. 31 January 2021 - Barcelona say they will take "appropriate legal action" against Spanish newspaper El Mundo after it [published details of Messi's contract](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/55873590), worth £492m over four years. 16 May 2021 - Manager Ronald Koeman says he hopes Messi has not played his final home game for the club after a [2-1 defeat by Celta Vigo](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/57138962) ended their title hopes and meant they finished outside the top two for the first time since 2007-08. 22 May 2021 - Paris St-Germain are believed to be ["looking closely" at Messi's contract](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/57213245) situation. 28 May 2021 - Barcelona president Joan Laporta says a new contract for Lionel Messi is ["not done yet"](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/57282922) but that "things are going well". 1 July 2021 - Messi's Barcelona contract expires and he [becomes a free agent.](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/57666280) 15 July 2021 - [Messi agrees to stay with Barca](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/57836300) on a deal until 2026 that includes reducing his wages. 5 August 2021 - Barcelona announce Messi will leave the club "because of financial and structural obstacles". ![Around the BBC - Sounds](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/1920/cpsprodpb/7A0C/production/_112244213_soundsheaderv1-nc.png) ![Around the BBC footer - Sounds](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/1920/cpsprodpb/A11C/production/_112244214_soundsfooter-nc.png)
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