Lionel Messi has detailed the moment he realised his Barcelona career was over after father Jorge held talks with club president Joan Laporta.
The six-time Ballon d'Or winner was forced to leave the Nou Camp after 21 years due to La Liga regulations and the Catalan side's own financial mismanagement.
He was left devastated as he admitted he did not want to leave the club in a teary farewell press conference.
But the Argentine icon is now ready for a new challenge at Paris Saint-Germain after a lucrative two-year contract was quickly tied up for the 34-year-old.
Messi was officially unveiled as a PSG player this week, but his original plan was to continue at Barcelona.
He explained his emotions and the toll on his family after learning the news of his exit following his father's discussions with Joan Laporta.
“My dad came home. He had been with (Joan) Laporta all morning," Messi told BBC Sport.
"When he came home he obviously told me about it, and at that point I felt really down.
"Then I had to prepare myself to tell my wife. Then we cried, and then we had to tell the children.
“We felt really low, but cheered each other up to tell the children. We needed to find the right way because we had told them in December that we were staying in Barcelona ."
Messi's move to PSG represents the most remarkable free transfer in football history.
He will wear the no.30 shirt at the club, the number he first wore when he broke into the Barcelona first-team.
And he will team up with Kylian Mbappe and Neymar to complete one of the most thrilling attacking trios in memory.
Messi revealed the opportunity for more success provided motivation for his move to the French capital.
"It was a difficult change after so long a time," he said in his unveiling press conference on Wednesday.
"But the moment I arrived here, I felt very happy and I really want to begin the training sessions. I want it to be quick.
"My only will now is to begin the training sessions. I want to work with the staff and team-mates and begin this new moment of my life.
"I have this will to play. I am really impatient. I still want to win, as I did the first moment of my career.
"I feel this club is ready to fight for all the trophies. This is my goal, I want to keep growing and keep winning titles and that is why I came to this club."
Do you want an exclusive pre-season preview of YOUR club - both in your inbox and through your letterbox? Head over here to find out more and secure your copy.
