I was told to leave Barcelona – Messi makes fresh revelation

Paris Saint-Germain forward, Lionel Messi, has insisted that he was “told” to leave Barcelona after he returned to Camp Nou following his Copa America triumph with Argentina.

Messi moved to Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona in the summer transfer window.

The 34-year-old’s contract at Barcelona had expired, but there was an expectation Messi would sign fresh terms with the LaLiga giants.

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“I came back to Barcelona (from the Copa America in July) to prepare for the season, after taking advantage of the extra days of holiday that the coach (Ronald Koeman) had given me,” Messi told France Football.

“I had in mind to sign my contract and to start training right away. I thought that everything was settled and that all that was missing was my signature (on the contract).

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“But when I arrived in Barcelona, I was told that it was no longer possible, that I could not stay and that I had to find another club, because Barca could not afford to extend my contract. That changed my plans.

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“It was extremely hard to take. To think that we would have to leave our home and that the family would have to change its routine.”: “I came back to Barcelona (from the Copa America in July) to prepare for the season, after taking advantage of the extra days of holiday that the coach (Ronald Koeman) had given me.

“I had in mind to sign my contract and to start training right away. I thought that everything was settled and that all that was missing was my signature (on the contract).

“But when I arrived in Barcelona, I was told that it was no longer possible, that I could not stay and that I had to find another club, because Barca could not afford to extend my contract. That changed my plans.

“It was extremely hard to take. To think that we would have to leave our home and that the family would have to change its routine.”