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."