Lionel Messi holds a press conference in the first public appearance since the announcement of Barcelona’s sudden exit | world News

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Barcelona’s outgoing star Lionel Messi will hold a press conference today in his first public appearance since the club announced his departure.

The 34-year-old Argentine will face the media at 11am UK time amid growing speculation over his next club.

Football legend Messi has remained with the Spanish giants throughout his football career, reaching the ranks of the esteemed La Masia youth academy, but is set to part with the club after contract talks failed due to “financial and structural hurdles”.

Photo: Messi won six Golden Balls during his career and is considered one of the best players ever

Messi is set to speak publicly at the Nou Camp for the first time since the announcement, but details of what he will say have not been revealed either by him or by Barcelona.

He is expected to sign widely with French club Paris Saint-Germain, where he will cooperate with his compatriot Mauricio Pochettino, the former Tottenham coach.

The star’s contract with Barcelona expired at the end of last season and the club said last month that they had agreed a new deal for their captain.

But Barcelona shocked the footballing world on Thursday when it announced his departure, blaming it on financial fair play rules set by La Liga.

Fans will be excited to hear Messi’s next move – he was previously strongly linked with his reunion with ex-manager Pep Guardiola, but the Manchester City boss has ruled out the move.

PSG appears to be the most likely destination – the French giants, who failed to win the Ligue 1 as expected last season with Lille taking the lead, think they have a good chance of drawing him to the Parc des Princes and can afford to sign him without breaking. Financial fair play rules.

Photo: Messi and Pep Guardiola have shared a tremendous amount of success together at Barcelona

If he were to move to Paris Saint-Germain, he would be reunited with Neymar, who played with Messi during his time at Barcelona.

According to Sky Sports, Messi and his father Jorge have spoken directly to PSG boss Pochettino and are ready to receive an offer.

PSG opened the league season on Saturday by beating Troyes 2-1 and after the match, Pochettino was shy about signing Messi.

“His name is associated with different clubs, and there are a lot of rumors,” L’Equipe quoted him as saying.

“We’ll see what happens in the coming days.”

Image: If Messi were to join PSG, he could team up with France superstar Kylian Mbappe – a man who is seen as someone who could reach the same level as Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

Messi has won the Ballon d’Or six times and has scored 672 goals in 778 matches since his debut in 2003.

He is part of any conversation about the greatest footballer of all time, along with Pele, Maradona, Cristiano Ronaldo and other full-backs Alfredo Di Stefano and Ferenc Puskas.

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