Lionel Messi has been ’emotionally destroyed’ by Barcelona announcing his exit from the club, according to reports.
The Argentine superstar believed a new contract was close after agreeing terms to a new five-year deal with the La Liga giants.
Messi was even reported to be willing to accept a 50 per cent reduction in his salary im order to extend his stay at the Camp Nou, after officially becoming a free agent on July 1.
Reports in Spain on Wednesday even suggested his contract was close to being announced, before the shocking turnaround on Thursday evening.
Barcelona confirmed Messi’s departure from the Spanish club, stating financial restrictions placed on them by La Liga prevented the possibility of the player staying.
The Catalans also posted a video montage of his best moments in a Barcelona shirt on Twitter, with the caption “Thank you, Leo.”
According to Diario SPORT, Messi has been ’emotionally destroyed’ by the decision to allow him leave. He is not the only one, with a sense of loss palpable on the streets of Barcelona yesterday – many are devastated by news of his exit.
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The 34-year-old himself may be able to bounce back in a way that suits him however, with PSG interested in signing him this summer.
Manchester City could make an offer to bring him in too but it is believed the Ligue 1 giants have offered Messi a huge contract. And with friends Neymar and Di Maria already at PSG, he could quickly find a home in Paris.
Last month, the Argentine attacker posed for a photo alongside Neymar, Di Maria and other PSG players Leonardo Paredes and Marco Verratti in Ibiza.
