Lionel Messi: Inside story of Barcelona icon's devastating Camp Nou exit | OneFootball

The sight of Lionel Messi breaking down in tears during his farewell press conference at Barcelona’s Camp Nou last August will go down in history as one of the most emotional in football history.

Messi’s reaction to his departure, it seems, was not solely based on the sadness of leaving La Blaugrana after more than 20 years, but also the sudden nature at which his time with the club came to a close.

A recently-published book – approved by Messi and his family – has delved into the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s final days with Barcelona, revealing just how quickly plans for the Argentine superstar to sign a new deal fell apart.

The shocking state of Barca’s finances in the summer of 2021 were no secret. Despite their money woes, however, club president Joan Laporta had remained positive that they would be able to extend Messi’s deal.

As part of the new Messi biography – penned by noted Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague – it has been revealed that the player himself agreed salary terms at a very early stage and was simply waiting for ‘a few small wrinkles to be ironed out’.

Timeline of Lionel Messi’s sudden Barcelona departure

August 4, 2021: Jorge Messi, Leo’s father and agent, reaches out to Barcelona to check that everything is still on track.

A celebratory dinner is planned for the following evening once the new deal is officially confirmed. Barca’s social media team are hard at work on a video for the announcement.

Barcelona’s sporting vice-president, Rafa Yuste, is ‘strangely ambiguous’ with his response, prompting concern within the Messi camp at his change of tone.

The player himself reaches out to Laporta, who insists nothing is wrong.

Hours later, though, Jorge receives a message from Yuste, telling him: “Laporta says it isn’t happening. Laporta says he isn’t interested anymore.”

Stunned by the news, Jorge contacts Laporta directly, who confirms the decision, adding: “I’m going to do what I want!”

Jorge then asks whether the change of heart is over money. Laporta responds: “I don’t want to do this anymore. It’s over. I’m not risking the club!”

August 5, 2021: In an effort to salvage an agreement, Jorge meets Laporta face-to-face.

The player’s father asks: “Have you thought this through?”.

Laporta remains adamant: “I’ve thought it through. I’m not doing it. I don’t want to sink the club.”

The club president then spoke about the need for the club to persuade its current squad to accept reduced salaries, insisting that it was impossible for the club to bring in any new stars until their wage bill was under control.

Realising must accept defeat on behalf of his son, Jorge and Laporta parted on amicable terms.

Balague writes: “Laporta’s explanations left little room for discussion. Jorge and Laporta agreed that whatever happens, they would avoid aggravating each other. The meeting ended peacefully with the two men hugging.

“That was how Messi’s beautiful Barca fairytale concluded.”

Messi was desperate to remain at Barcelona

In telling the story of Messi’s departure, Balague notes that his only real desire was to remain a Barca player.

The club’s record goalscorer had agreed to a 75% wage cut in the first year of the new contract, and by half over the deal’s full length. This is something no other player had done that summer, according to the author.

Jorge was fuming on behalf of his son, accusing Laporta of “making a fool out of him”.

“Leo was devastated [when he heard the news] and went to the dining room to tell [his wife] Antonela. The Messi household echoed with emotion, the tears flowing freely.

“Messi’s team proposed a joint Laporta-Messi press conference. They wanted it a few days after the announcement on Thursday because Leo needed more time to adjust. The club refused this offer because Laporta wanted to get across his version of what happened as soon as possible.”

Balague then revealed Messi’s intensely emotional state in the lead-up to his final farewell at Camp Nou.

“Messi thought for hours about what to say. He didn’t know how much he could offer without his emotions getting the better of him. He chose to speak from the heart; he wouldn’t hide how broken he felt after leaving the club of his life.

“He walked through the curtain, vision blurred, ears bombarded by cameras being clicked. The weight of expectation on his shoulders sagged as he walked heavily to the podium. His body language was that of a defeated soldier.

“He paused before looking at the crowd. No amount of composing himself would be enough. There was nowhere to hide.”

Messi was overcome with emotion from the moment he stepped on stage to address his public for one final time on August 8, 2021. Given the rollercoaster he had been on over the previous few days, it’s hardly surprising.