Lionel Messi wanted to leave Barcelona and either sign with Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain last summer, but he was happy to remain with the club when he agreed to a new five-year deal in July with a 50 percent payout. 

La Liga's financial fair play rules meant it was impossible for Barcelona to register Messi's deal. By the time Messi flew to Paris on Tuesday, he felt let down and betrayed by Barcelona.

One source suggested Joan Laporta had known for weeks that Barcelona wouldn't be able to register Messi, but he strung the Messi family along and was keen to make it look as if he had done all he could to keep him.

"Ask the club," Jorge told reporters on Tuesday when asked whether anyone was to blame for his son's premature exit.

"I don't know [whether Barca did all they could to keep me], what I am clear about is that I did everything I could," Messi said during his farewell press conference. "Laporta said we couldn't do it because of the league [rules]. I can tell you that I did all that I could to stay, because I wanted to stay."