Barcelona president Joan Laporta has explained how he broke the news of Lionel Messi’s departure to the players.
It was announced last night that Messi was leaving Barca after the collapse of contract talks.
Laporta said: “Yesterday (Thursday) I spoke on the phone with the captains. This is a very important fact in the history of Barça. I told the players that a new stage is starting in Barca’s history and that we have to keep winning without Messi.
“We have tried to make decisions in a fair way. I saw the faces of the players and I asked the captains to do the best. There is a very strong group. The captains must lead this new stage, welcoming young players who show great talent.
“The squad have a strange feeling, a certain sadness, but they are professionals and they have the opportunity to show their talent to help Barça win.
“We are going to ask for a lot of involvement. We will give everything to succeed.”