Lionel Messi's 'Final WhatsApp Message' To Barcelona Teammates Before Leaving For PSG Has Emerged

A journalist has revealed the last WhatsApp message Lionel Messi sent to his former Barcelona teammates before leaving to join Paris Saint-Germain.

The six-time Ballon d'Or winner, who spent 21 trophy-laden years at the Camp Nou, has signed a two-year deal at the Ligue 1 side worth a reported €25m per season.

His arrival at the Parc des Princes has sent shockwaves throughout world football as he prepares to play alongside the likes of Sergio Ramos, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar in the coming months.

Indeed Messi's teammates were clearly a mixture of emotional and shocked during his final press conference before leaving Barca. So what did he say to them beforehand?

Argentine journalist Veronica Brunati has posted what is supposedly the final WhatsApp message he sent to those closest to him at the Camp Nou.

In fact, according to the source, Messi sent the message to a group that includes fellow La Masia graduates Gerard Pique and Cesc Fabregas, known by many as the "Barcelona Generation '87."

The message read: "I don't want to go. There is nothing left to do, there is no money. The club is doing very badly, they cannot extend with me.

Messi's sudden departure took a big hit on his former teammates, according to The Athletic. A source with links to Barca's first team gave damning details on how a number of players are feeling after he left.

"There are a lot of angry people, and they are angry for different reasons," the source said.

"Maybe some are right, maybe some are wrong. Every situation is different.

"Neto wants to go. [Philippe] Coutinho feels like s***. [Miralem] Pjanic feels defrauded. Jordi Alba is on a crazy long-term contract.

"Maybe it is the fault of the old management, who were throwing money everywhere, but this situation was always around since they (Laporta and the new board) won the election (in March)."

Thoughts on Messi's arrival at the French giants? Can he lead them to Champions League glory?

Let us know in the comments.

Topics: Barcelona, Ligue 1, PSG, Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique, Cesc Fabregas, La Liga

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is a writer at SPORTbible. He's interviewed some of the biggest names in sport, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pele, Carles Puyol and Tim Henman. He dabbles in all things sport but football is his biggest passion. He was once hit in the head by a wayward strike from Nicky Butt and lived to tell the tale.

@jackkenmare_