Messi gets teary-eyed during his farewell press appearance at Barcelona.

Barcelona president, Josep Maria Bartomeu, confirmed that the club has decided to part with five-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi after 21 years in Catalonia. When he began his news conference, he was fighting back emotions as he was about to announce his retirement from Barcelona, where he had played his whole career.

He began crying before even saying anything in his opening speech.

Messi recently said, "For the past few days, I've spent a lot of time thinking about what I could say, but I realise that I can't think of anything." At Barca's Camp Nou stadium, Messi received a roaring ovation from hundreds of fans wearing his No. 10 shirts while speaking to the media.

"I've always lived here, so it's difficult for me to go, and after so many years of practising, I am not prepared for this. Last year, I was sure of what I wanted to say, but I am unsure what I want to say this year.

The year before, he had requested to be released from the team, but he decided to stay after all. This time, financial difficulties at Barcelona ended the arrangement to keep him.

He will be allowed to go for free as he is out of the agreement, and Messi, the six-time Ballon d'Or winner, has indicated that a move to Paris Saint-Germain is now "possible."

While all of us wanted to stay, my family and I were persuaded that I wanted to remain. That is what everyone desired above anything else. Today, I want to say goodbye to everything," he explained.

"This is our home; we're here, and we've always assumed we'll be here in Barcelona."

Barcelona's all-time greatest goalscorer with 682 goals, the 34-year-old striker has been at the club for 21 years.

"I've been here for a long time, my entire life, since I was 13 years old. Although I am going after 21 years, my wife, three children, and I can't say for sure that we won't return because we both promised our children that we would come back.

For me, dignity, respect, and humility are what I brought to the club. That is all that will remain when I depart.

He said, "My goal is to keep playing as long as I can, and I'm certain my body will continue to allow me to do so." As far as I am able, I will continue to challenge myself.

Before being agreed upon on a 50 per cent pay drop, a contract renewal for five years was confirmed. It was only after this that Messi's agent surprised him by telling him the terms had changed.

The situation I find myself in is very different from what my contract is. The truth is, I did all I can. La Liga rejects the claim that it would be unable to host the club. It is safe to say that I have done everything in my power to hold on to this position.

After the press conference, every trophy he won while at the club was set out for a private photo session.