Annnddd breathe.

Lionel Messi walks off stage to another round of applause.

There is so much to unpack after that, an extraordinary moment and one I don't think anyone - including Lionel Messi himself - expected to ever happen.

Image source, Reuters

Messi: "My family and I were convinced that we were going to stay here at home, that's what we all wanted more than anything.

"We've made this our home and we thought we would be staying in Barcelona.

"The time I've had here has been amazing but today I have to say goodbye to all of this. I've been here so many years, my entire life since I was 13."

Messi: "I'm not going to speak bad of anyone, I've always been up front, I've not lied at all, been completely transparent but the problem is when you don't speak they say a lot of things.

"What I cared most about, was telling the truth. Together we have grown and enjoyed all these years together."

What a moment.

Messi: "I would've liked to have won another Champions League, I have the opinion we could've got one more.

"I don't regret anything, I've tried to give my best. I'm ending my career here with a good amount of titles.

"I offered to reduce my salary by 50%, but they didn't ask me for anything else. The news I asked for 30% more is a lie, a lot of things people are saying is not true."

Image source, Reuters

Messi is asked why he could not remain at Barcelona and says: "As the president said, the club has got a big debt, they can't do it, it's not possible [to stay].

"To keep drawing it out would make it more complicated. I need to focus on my career and what I need to do from now on.

"I did everything I could to stay and it was not possible to stay."

Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman and players past and present are watching the news conference.

Image source, Reuters

Messi is asked how long he expects to keep playing for and says: "Thankfully up to now I've not had any serious injuries. Let's keep moving forward as it could all end quickly. Until I can, I'm going to keep competing."

Messi is asked if he would like a proper send off with the fans at the Nou Camp and replies: "It wouldn't be the same, the moment is now when it's time to go.

"But for these people, I'm available for anything so honestly, yes."

Image source, Reuters

Messi: "It was like my blood ran cold, I was really sad, it was really difficult right up to now. I'm still trying to process it all.

"When I get home I will still feel bad, it will be even worse."

Messi: "This is the end with this club and now a new story will begin. Yes, it's one of the most difficult moments for me.

"I don't want to leave this club, it's a club I love and this is a moment I didn't expect.

"Last year I wanted to leave, this year I wanted to stay, that's why I'm so sad."

Messi is asked if PSG is his next club and replies "it is a possibility".

"I've had nothing confirmed with anyone. When the press release was published, I had a lot of calls, a lot of teams interested and we are talking about a lot of things."

Messi is asked about expecting to sign a new contract and said: "This is what [club president Joan] Laporta said, up to the last minute, then suddenly with the league it could not happen."

Messi was asked for more detail about his Barcelona exit.

"What's clear is I did everything possible, and they (Barca) couldn't do it because of La Liga.

"A lot of things have been said about me, but on my behalf we did everything I could because I wanted to stay. Last year I didn't want to stay and I said it. This year I did and I couldn't."

Now to some questions, first up Messi is asked about his favourite moment in a Barca shirt:

"The time when I made my debut, that was my dream come true and everything that came later was amazing. I will always remember that moment where everything started."

There is standing ovation as a clearly emotional Messi ends his statement.

Image source, Getty Images

Messi: "We have had some good times and some bad times as well, but the love people have shown me has always been the same.

"I hope that I can come back and be part of this club in any moment, in any way and bring something to help this club be the best in the world.

"I am forgetting so many things that I wanted to say, but that's all I can say right now. I've thought about it a lot, but the words won't come to me. Thank you to everyone"

Messi: "A lot of things have gone through my head. I've still not come to terms with the reality of leaving this club now and changing my life.

"We need to accept it and move forward."