Lionel Messi reveals family tension over Barcelona exit, says his son “cried to me and said ‘let’s not go’”

Lionel Messi admits his son Thiago cried and asked him not to quit Barcelona.

The Catalan giants’ talisman caused huge uproar when he announced he was leaving the Nou Camp side after a series of complaints against the club’s board.

And, after his father’s talks with the club, the Argentine has decided to remain at the Spanish giants for another year having previously expressed a desire to leave.

Messi concedes it was an immensely emotional decision that involved his whole family.

His wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, supported him throughout but it was his eldest son’s reaction that really affected him.

Messi told Goal: “All this time it has been hard for everyone. He was clear about what he wanted, he had assumed it and said it. My wife, with all the pain of her soul, supported and accompanied me…

“Yes, Mateo is still young and he doesn’t realize what it means to go somewhere else and make your life for a few years elsewhere.

“Thiago yes, he is bigger. He heard something on TV and found out something and asked. I didn’t want to know anything about being able to leave, having to live in a new school or make new friends.

“He cried to me and said ‘let’s not go’, I repeat that it was hard, really. It was understandable. It happened to me. It is very difficult to make a decision.

“I will continue at Barça and my attitude will not change no matter how much I have wanted to go.

“I will do my best. I always want to win, I’m competitive and I don’t like to lose anything. I always want the best for the club, for the dressing room and for myself. I said it at the time that it was not giving us to win the Champions League.

“Actually, now I don’t know what will happen. There is a new coach and a new idea. That’s good, but then we have to see how the team responds and whether or not it will give us to compete. What I can say is that I’m staying and I’m going to give my best “