Messi has built a career with Barcelona, rising through the ranks of the club's academy before making his professional debut in 2003 and scoring 672 goals in 778 games.
The six-time Golden boot winner has been a free agent since July 1 after disagreeing on a contract extension before his previous Barcelona deal ended on June 30.
The team declared that Messi would be leaving since a pay rise could not be reached by the Spanish league's financial fair play standards.
Messi has been linked with a transfer to PSG, although he has stated that he is undecided about his fate.
Messi described his exit as "its most painful" of his career.
"I've lived here my whole life; I'm not fully prepared for this," he said, adding, "but last year, with all the bollocks, I was convinced of what I meant to accomplish, but this year that is not the same." He added, "This year, my relatives and I were reassured we were going to stay here; that is what we all would want more than anything."
During talks for a new contract, the Argentine international agreed to take a 50% pay reduction.
Joan Laporta, the club's president, stated that they could not renew his contract due to La Liga regulations.
He also confessed that it had been "tough" not to hear the fans during the epidemic and that he was now going for 18 months without seeing them.
"I hope I can return and help this site become the greatest in the world in any form," Messi said. "They have fantastic players, a wonderful roster, and it will be simple for them in the final."
According to the daily L'Equipe, he would go to Paris on Sunday night or early Monday morning for diagnostic tests with PSG.
According to the publication, they were close to reaching a deal, citing Argentinian sources.
As he went up to the platform at the Camp Nou, Messi fought to contain his emotions and sobbed excessively.
Except for last year, when he begged to go, Messi stated he was dead intent on sticking with Barcelona and did all he could to achieve success, including slashing his pay by half.
Messi, 34, shied away from discussing his future, claiming he had had offers from several teams after the Catalan club announced his departure. When questioned about a possible contract with Paris Saint-Germain, Messi said it was "a possibility." PSG has been in discussions with Messi's agency over the week, seeking to conclude a deal.
Messi stated that he expects to return to Barcelona in some form in the future and that he wishes he could have said his goodbyes to supporters in front of a sold-out stadium.
When the squad was unveiled, the approximately 3,000 supporters who attend Barcelona's international friendly against Juve later Sunday shouted Messi's name aloud. His No. 10 jerseys were held aloft by some.
He believes it will be "abnormal" to watch Barcelona absent Messi but that "with time, fans will adjust." He believes the team still has strong players and can thrive without Leo.
Regarding Messi's departure, coach Ronald Koeman stated before Barcelona's 3-0 win against Juventus, "We are extremely enthusiastic about heading into this new season, about our group, about our new players."
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