Lionel Messi has said that his decision to leave Barcelona was in the club’s best interest.

The 33-year old had threatened to leave the Catalan Giants but had to make a u-turn due to a clause in his contract.

In his first interview since he decided to honour his contract with the club, the Argentine appealed to fans who might have felt awkward by words he said during the transfer saga.

“After so many disagreements, I would like to bring an end to everything and put aside any differences.

“I take responsibility for my mistakes and, if there were any, they were only to make Barcelona better and stronger.

“If any fans were annoyed by something that I said or did, let there be no doubt that anything I did was always with the club’s best interests in mind,” Messi told Diario Sport on Tuesday.

Manchester City were favourites to sign Messi which would have seen a reunion with his former manager at Barcelona, Pep Guardiola.