By : Neha shahab
Leo Messi is still the greatest player in the world. Lionel Messi fought back tears Sunday as he began a press conference at which he confirmed he is leaving Barcelona, where he has played his entire career.
The official verdict is that Messi will leave Barcelona because the La Liga club is unable to fulfil the player's new contract.
It had been expected to sign a new five-year contract with the Catalan club, which would have seen his salary reduced by 50 per cent from £100m to around £50m per year, and arrived in Barcelona earlier this week still believing he would do so.
The 34-year-old Argentinian superstar, six times a Ballon d'Or winner, has been out of contract since the end of June and Barca say they cannot afford to keep him, with Paris Saint Germain widely.
He has been at the club for 21 years, becoming its all-time goalscorer with 682, broke down in tears before giving a speech and was greeted by a lengthy standing ovation from the media, current and former teammates and coaches .
