“The truth is that, as I explained on my way out, I did everything to stay”- Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi debunked the fake news going round that he disagreed to play for free at Barcelona during his contract saga at the club

Messi was speaking in an interview with Sports, the 34-year-old expressed his disappointment over the comment made by Joan Laporta.

Messi joined PSG from Barcelona during the last summer transfer window after the Catalonia side said the financial fair play rule in Spain was the reason why his contract could not be renewed.

“The truth is that, as I explained on my way out, I did everything to stay, never at any time was I asked to play for free. I was asked to cut my salary by fifty per cent and I did it without any problem. We were in a position to help the club more.

The desire for me and my family was to stay in Barcelona. Nobody asked me to play for free but at the same time, it seems to me that the words said by the President were out of place. They hurt me because I think he doesn’t need to say that it’s like getting the ball off you and not assuming its consequences or taking charge of things. This makes people think or generate a type of doubt that I think I do not deserve.