Lionel Messi in tears as he says goodbye to Barcelona 

Lionel Messi: “Yeah, without doubt (it’s the most difficult time of his sporting career). I’ve had a lot of difficult moments, tough moments, a lot of defeats but in the end, the other day, not going back to train, not going back to the pitch, this is the end.”

A new story will begin now, and yes that’s one of the most difficult moments for me.”

Messi: “The goodbye is now, this would have been the right moment to say goodbye. But yes, I would like to come back one day to thank the fans in a full stadium.”

Lionel Messi on Barcelona’s future “They are the biggest club in the world. Players come and go, the club is more important than anyone player. People will get used to my absence. The future will be fine.”