Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta admitted he was saddened by events that unfolded that lead to Lionel Messi's sensational transfer to Paris Saint-Germain.
Messi has completed his move to PSG on a lucrative two-deal in perhaps the most surprising free transfer of all time.
The six-time Ballon d'Or winner was forced to leave Barcelona after 21 years at the Nou Camp, as the Catalan side could not keep hold of him due to La Liga's financial fair play rules and their own mismanagement.
Devastated Messi did not want to leave the Spanish giants and was left teary in his farewell press conference.
But he has now moved to the Parc de Princes in a mega contract that was quickly wrapped up by the French giants.
Arteta, who like Messi was nurtured at Barcelona's iconic 'La Masia' academy, has weighed in on the transfer, explaining the circumstances around his exit were 'sad'.
"He's been the best-ever player on the planet. He was raised in Barcelona, a similar part to where I was [raised]," the Spaniard told Sky Sports.
"To let him go the way it happened, it's sad, but it tells you, it's the financial crisis. As sad as it is, they had to do it, to save the club.
"Excitement and attention. Straight away, you could see everyone in Paris, how excited they are. The team they are building is incredible."
Messi won four Champions League titles with Barcelona but hasn't tasted European success since 2015.
PSG meanwhile, are still to get their hands on the elusive Champions League crown after losing in the 2020 final to Bayern Munich.
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But the 34-year-old explained that the chance of a fifth triumph in the competition made a move to the French capital exciting.
“This club is ready to fight for all the trophies, this is my goal, to keep growing, keep winning titles and that’s why I’ve come here to this club," the Argentine icon said.
"I’ll say this: My goal and my dream is to win the Champions League once more. I think Paris is the best place to do so.
"I think that we have the team to do it here. I hope we can make it happen.”
He continued: "Everyone knows how hard it was to leave Barcelona. Everything that happened to me this last week has been very strange. It has been hard, it has been emotional.
“I cannot forget what I lived and experiences in Barcelona but I feel happy about this new life. I am very happy.
"I am very grateful that such complicated negotiations were made so easy. Truly. I feel this club is ready to fight for every title.”
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