Tearful Messi addresses Barca exit and future at news conference

Barcelona have a match against Juventus later today.

There will be no-one in the Barca number 10 jersey.

Hundreds of Barcelona fans gathered outside the Nou Camp during Lionel Messi's news conference.

ReutersCopyright: Reuters

Jahman: To all the people that ask "Can't Messi play for free?" you misunderstand the situation. It's not his choice, it's out of his hands. He is a free agent & cannot be registered to play for free because they are way over their wage budget. La Liga said so...

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

An emotional Lionel Messi said joining Paris St-Germain was "a possibility, but nothing is agreed" as he confirmed his exit from Barcelona.

Messi is ending his 21-year association with Barca, who cannot afford to honour the new contract they agreed with him because of La Liga's salary limit.

The record six-time Ballon d'Or winner, 34, is now a free agent.

"My family and I were convinced we were going to stay here, at home," he said during a news conference on Sunday.

The Argentina forward added: "This is the end with this club and now a new story will begin. Yes, it's one of the most difficult moments for me.

"I don't want to leave this club, it's a club I love and this is a moment I didn't expect. Last year I wanted to leave, this year I wanted to stay. That's why I'm so sad."

SMS Message: An awful lot of tears and emotion from a guy who tried to force through a move just last summer. from Neil - West Sussex

An awful lot of tears and emotion from a guy who tried to force through a move just last summer.

Moving away from Lionel Messi briefly and former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba tweeted this, suggesting Romelu Lukaku's return to Stamford Bridge from Inter Milan is imminent.

The transfer window has certainly exploded into life in recent days.

If Lionel Messi does move to PSG then this is their potential starting XI - not bad is it?

That front four is enough to give defenders across the world nightmares.

BBC SportCopyright: BBC Sport

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has posted an emotional tribute to his former team-mate Lionel Messi on Instagram.

De Jong said: "When I was a child I enjoyed every game of yours with my brother in our room watching you on television. When I came here two years ago I discovered that you were an amazing person.

"It has been a dream for me to play with the best player in history, I have enjoyed every minute on and off the pitch. Now I will continue to enjoy your magic but again like when I started, in front of the television.

"Thanks for everything, Leo. I wish the best in the future to you and your whole family."

Matt: re Colin (12:04). He can't even play for free. Barcelona are already over their maximum wage amount without him, so have a registration ban until they reduce the bill.

Lionel Messi's departure is not only a blow to Barcelona, it is also a blow for La Liga, which has lost its all-time leading scorer.

OptaCopyright: Opta

Journalist Diego Monroig reports that PSG have booked the Eiffel Tower for Tuesday, sparking rumours that Lionel Messi's unveiling could take place in the heart of the French capital.

PSG also used the landmark to confirm their signing of Neymar in 2017.

It's not a bad backdrop to be fair.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

We've already seen one big name make the move from La Liga to Ligue 1 this summer with Sergio Ramos' free transfer move from Real Madrid to Paris St-Germain.

Will Lionel Messi, the only man to have won more La Liga matches than Ramos, be joining his long-term rival at PSG?

Watch as Lionel Messi is distraught as he receives a standing ovation from team-mates, journalists, officials and his family at a press conference confirming his departure from FC Barcelona.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Cesc Fabregas came through Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy with Messi and played with the forward in the Barca first team between 2011 and 2014 after he returned from Arsenal.

The Monaco midfielder posted a lengthy message on Twitter, it read: “I will always remember the day you came to the dressing room when I was 13 years old and they told us that a boy from Argentina was coming to try.

“You sat down and didn’t speak the whole time. The coach told me in the 1v1 exercise to be strong against you, I saw you so small, that I thought in a second I would take it away from you.

“Silly of me, you left me on the floor and from then on I saw that you were something different. My dream was always to play for the Barca first team, but doing it with you and Geri (Gerald Pique) always made that dream much more special.

“In the end, it became a reality and just for the mere fact of feeling football as I felt it playing false 9 with you and seeing the connection that there was, it was all worth it. You go the best player of all time. It will never be the same to see Barca without you.”

Former Barcelona striker Gary Lineker...

Musheer: Those criticising Messi for not staying on the cheap at Barcelona forget that he was deeply hurt when they renegaded on their agreement for him to leave last year. That would have broken the bond & need to support #barca management.

Colin Davies: I know this is probably a bit naive, but since the multi millionaire Messi wants to stay at @FCBarcelona & since they want him to stay, wouldn't it be nice if he offered to accept the average salary at the club. He could even play for free & still earn big money.

French daily L'Equipe is reporting that Messi will have a medical at Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday night or Monday morning.

A week is a long time in football....