Argentina striker Lionel Messi was in tears as he attended his final press conference as a Barcelona player to bid farewell to the Spanish club after 21 years.

The maverick striker confirmed the end of his long association with FC Barcelona. "This is very difficult, I was not prepared for this. Last year, I was convinced to leave, but this year we were, my family and I wanted to continue here, in our house," Goal.com quoted Messi as saying.