Lionel Messi has now completed his shock exit from F.C. Barcelona. The football icon has agreed to a deal with Paris Saint-Germain, per reports from ESPN.

An emotional Lionel Messi faced reporters following the news that his departure from his longtime club was imminent. Messi claims that he had every intention of staying with the team, but due to financial constraints was unable to agree on deal that keeps him in Barcelona.

Messi revealed that once news broke his impending departure, he was immediately flooded with phone calls from several big clubs, which comes as no surprise considering his superb level of play even at age 34.

Lionel Messi was candid in his explanation for leaving the club, which was translated from his native Spanish via ESPN's Sam Marsden and Julien Laurens.

“I am really sad because I didn't want to leave because this is the club I love,” Messi said. “I didn't expect this. I have never lied; I have always been honest and up front. Last year I wanted to leave; this year I didn't. That's why I am so sad.

“As the president [Joan Laporta] has explained, the club has debt [problems]. It's not possible. Why keep drawing it out if it's nearly impossible? I did everything I could to stay and it wasn't possible,” Messi claimed. “I offered to reduce my salary by 50% and Barca didn't ask for anything else. They didn't ask for another 30%; that's a lie.”

This marks the end of an era for La Liga, which had already lost Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus back in 2018. Now with Lionel Messi's departure from Barcelona, one of the greatest runs in league football has officially come to an end.