Lionel Messi Admits He Feels “Strange” About Barcelona Exit.

Lionel Messi has opened up about the lingering regret he feels over his departure from Barcelona in August 2021. The football legend described leaving the Spanish giants as a “strange feeling,” admitting he did not get the farewell he had envisioned after years of success at Camp Nou.

The six-time Ballon d’Or winner left Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain after contract negotiations collapsed, forcing him to depart as a free agent amid the club’s financial crisis. PSG stepped in, offering Messi a contract to continue his career.

“I didn’t leave Barça as I had imagined to. I was left with a strange feeling after my departure,” Messi told SPORT in a recent interview. He reflected on how the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to the unusual nature of his farewell, as fans were banned from stadiums during his final games.

Messi played his last match for Barcelona in May 2021, a 2-1 defeat to Celta Vigo in an empty Camp Nou. “I finished my final years without the fans. The farewell moment was also a bit strange because of the circumstances and everything surrounding it,” he added.

After two seasons at PSG, Messi left Paris in 2023 and is now continuing his career with Major League Soccer side, Inter Miami. Despite his successful move, the memories of his unceremonious exit from Barcelona remain poignant.