Lionel Messi on Monday joined his Barcelona team-mates to train for the first time since his transfer saga which lasted more than three weeks.
The six-time Ballon d’Or winner had sometime in August tendered his transfer request at the club as he hoped to leave, amid reports that he already agreed personal terms with Premier League club Manchester City.
He said, “I told the club, including the president, that I wanted to go. I’ve been telling him that all year.
“I believed it was time to step aside.
“I believed that the club needed more young players, new players and I thought my time in Barcelona was over.
“I felt very sorry because I always said that I wanted to finish my career here.”
However, the33-year-old made a U-turn on his Barcelona future as he intends to see out his current contract which will expire in June 2021.
