Messi admits being blindsided by Barcelona release

Lionel Messi admits he was blindsided by Barcelona's decision to not renew his contract.

Messi has recalled leaving Barca in 2021 for PSG.

The now Inter Miami star says: "It was difficult to change when I went to PSG, because I was very good in Barcelona and planned to continue there. I wasn't ready to go, everything happened very quickly, I had to remake my life from one day to the next. I met another league, another club, a new dressing room. It was a change that we were not looking for and that is why it cost at first.

"For me it was difficult when I joined Barcelona. I was a child and I had to adapt to new friends, a new country, a new city, new people, a new school. It cost me a lot at first, but I thought I was doing what I wanted, playing soccer, in a great team like Barcelona and that made me be able to keep going, It was impressive and I really enjoyed it. They have always treated me very well in Barcelona, I am grateful to them."

On retirement, he also said: "I know that the moment I feel that I am no longer giving my best, that I no longer enjoy or helping my colleagues, I will leave. I am very self-critical with myself, I know when I am well, when I am bad, when I play well and when I play badly. When I feel like it's time to take that step, I'll take it without thinking about age. If I feel good I will always try to continue competing because it is what I like and know how to do.

"I still don't think about what I'm going to do when I retire. Today, I try to enjoy day by day, moments, without thinking about the afterlife. I have nothing clear yet, I hope to continue playing for a while longer, which is what I like. When the time comes I will surely find my way to what fills me and what I like and a new role. At a sports level I was lucky to be able to achieve all my dreams and the truth is that I cannot ask for more. Thank God he gave me both professionally and humanly, and with my family, my friends. I try to enjoy everything that God gave me so far, which is a lot."