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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Callum Vurley

Inside Lionel Messi's farewell dinner with Sergio Aguero and Barcelona teammates

Lionel Messi held a farewell dinner on Saturday night ahead of his emotional press conference confirming his departure from Barcelona.

In one of the most remarkable stories in sport, the Catalan club confirmed earlier this week that they will not be renewing the 34-year-old's contract.

La Liga rules have prevented Barca from registering new players due to their mammoth debts - which are racking up by the hundreds of millions.

It means that after 21 years, Messi will be leaving the club he has won 10 La Liga and four Champions League titles.

And as Paris Saint-Germain close in on a move for the free agent, the six-time Ballon d'Or winner held a farewell dinner for his closest pals and Barcelona teammates on Saturday night.

Lionel Messi will leave Barcelona this summer amid interest from PSG (Getty Images)

Hosting in his own house, the likes of Sergio Aguero and Gerard Pique attended, as well as Argentine streamer Coscu.

Aguero joined Barcelona in the summer from Manchester City on a free transfer with the intention to play alongside Messi.

It has led to speculation that he will leave Los Cules already - while he cannot be registered as a new player either ahead of the new La Liga season.

He posted a picture of the two at Messi's soiree, captioned: "All the best in whatever comes my friend. And always with that smile. I love you."

Pique, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba - who have been with Messi throughout his Barcelona journey - were also in attendance.

Coscu, real name Martin Perez Disalvo, posted a picture to his social media, saying: “I met the best person in the world.”

The 30-year-old is known for his streaming in Argentina and started a community of e-sports players called the “Coscu army”.

The evening came before Messi's emotional press conference where he confirmed his exit from his dearly beloved club.

He said: "This is really difficult for me after so many years, being here my entire life. I'm not ready for this. This year, my family were convinced we were going to stay here at home.

"We thought we'd be staying here in Barcelona. The time we've had here in the city and in the sport has been amazing.

"Well, today I have to say goodbye to all of this. I've been here so many years, since I was 13. After 21 years, I'm leaving with my wife, with my three little Catalan-Argentine kids.

"I can't say that in a few years we won't come back. I'm just really grateful for everything, all my teammates and all my former teammates, everyone at the club who has been by my side, all the people - some I only met a few times.

"So many beautiful things have happened, also some bad things, but all of this helped me to grow, helped me improve and made me the person I am today.

"I've given everything for this club and this shirt from the first day to the last.

What are your thoughts on the Messi saga? Comment below

Lionel Messi was in tears as he confirmed his Barcelona exit (AFP via Getty Images)

"The truth is I am leaving. I am so grateful for the care people have shown me. I never imagined saying goodbye."

It comes as PSG close in on a move with reports in France stating that Messi is set to undergo a medical tonight.

A two-year contract has been drafted while Neymar has been desperate to reunite with the Argentine.

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