Midnight's Complete Interview After the Decision to Stay in Barcelona

In this interview, Messi explains everything that happened these days to the final decision.

Why did you wait so long to break the silence?

The “in the first place because after the defeat in Lisbon it was very difficult. We knew he was a very difficult rival, but not that he could end up in that world, giving that bad image to the club and Barcelona. I didn't want anything. I just wanted time to go by and then clean up everything “. 

Why did you tell Barcelona you could leave?

I told the club, specifically the president, I wanted to leave. I told him all year. I thought it was time to leave. I thought the club needed younger people and I thought my adventure in Barcelona would end up with a lot of regrets, because I always thought I'd like to finish my career here. It's been a very complicated year, I've suffered a lot during my training, in the game, in the dressing room. It had become very difficult for me and came a moment when I thought about going in search of new goals, fresh air. It wasn't due to the result of the League Champions against Bayer, I thought about this decision for a long time. I told the president and the president always told me that at the end of the season I could decide whether to leave or stay and at last he did not keep his word “.

Are you feeling alone?

I didn't feel alone. Just no. On my side were the same people. That's enough and strengthens me. But yes, it hurt me to hear things from people, journalists, people who doubt my love for Barcelona saying things I don't think I deserve. It also helped me to see who is who. The world of football is very difficult, and there are many false people. What happened to me helped me to get to know many false people from whom I had another consideration. It hurt me when my love for this club was questioned. If I go or stay, my love for Barcelona will never change “.

We've heard everything. From the money factor to the friends of Mess. What hurt you most after a 20-year career in Barcelona?

A little of everything, for the friends of Mess and money ... I was hurt by so many things they said. I always put the club in front of everything. I've had the opportunity to leave Barcelona many times. Each year I could have quit and made more money than in Barcelona. I always said this was my home. Better than here is hard. I felt I had to change, new goals, new things “.

Why do you want to continue with Barcelona?

Of course it cost me a lot of determination. It has nothing to do with Bayer's outcome, depends on a lot of things. I always said I wanted to stay here. Because I wanted a winning project and earned titles with the club to keep Barcelona legend rising, at the trophy level. And the truth is that for a long time there is no project or anything, they cheat and cover holes as things flow. As I said before I've always thought about the welfare of my family and club”.

What happened when you told your family you could leave Barcelona?

When I communicated my decision to my wife and children, it was a tragedy. My whole family burst into tears, my children didn't want to leave Barcelona, they didn't want to change school. I looked further and wanted to compete at the highest level. To win titles, to compete in the Champions League. You can win or lose because it's very difficult, but you have to race. At least race and don't collapse like Rome, Liverpool, Lisbon. And that made me think about the decision to leave. As it said, I thought and was sure I was free to leave, the president always said that at the end of the season I could decide whether to stay or not. Now they're caught in the fact that I didn't say it before June 10th, when it's clear that June 10th was in the race for La League, in the middle of this terrible coronary and that this disease has changed the whole season. And that's why I'm staying at Barcelona. I'm going to stay now because the president told me the only way out is to pay the 700m-euro clause, and that's impossible. She had a high road and she was going to court. But I would never sue Barcelona because it's the club I want, which has given me everything since I arrived, it's the club of my life, I've spent my life here. Barca has given me everything and I have given everything. I know I never thought about taking Barcelona to trial”.

Is that what hurt you most, that there are people who thought you could hurt Barcelona?

I was hurt by so many things published against me and above all by many false things published. Or that I could sue Barcelona for my interests. I would never have done that, I repeat, I wanted to leave and it was my right, because the contract says I could free myself. And it wasn't “I'm just leaving”. I would leave and it would cost me a lot. I wanted to go because I thought I wanted to live in my last years of soccer, happy. I haven't found happiness in the” club lately.

This is important, to be happy. You are a born winner, you will continue to lead the team. But something's gonna change on Barcelona, right? Should something change on a sports level?

I will continue in Barcelona and my behavior will not change, no matter how much I wanted to leave. I'll give you anything. I always want to win, I'm competitive and I don't like losing. I always want the best for the club, my teammates and myself. I said I didn't have the support needed to win the League Champions. Now I don't know what's gonna happen. There's a new manager and new ideas. And that's good, but we need to see how the team will respond and if we'll be able to compete at the highest level. All I can say is I'm gonna stay and give you anything for Barcelona. “

What was the first thing you thought when people said you didn't care about Barcelona?

It hurt me that my commitment to Barcelona was questioned, I am grateful to this club. I love Barcelona and I won't find a better place than here. But I still have the right to decide. I wanted to go in search of new goals and challenges. And tomorrow I can come back because I have everything here in Barcelona “.

My son, my family grew up here. There was nothing wrong with wanting to leave, I needed it, the club needed it and it was good for everyone. ”