Del Piero was among the multitude who wanted the Argentine wizard to end his career at the Camp Nou but was shocked when it was disclosed that Messi will not don the Barcelona shirt anymore.
“We all wanted to see him end his career at Barcelona, so I am a little shocked,” the former striker told Sky Sport Italia.
“He was supposed to begin the season with the Barcelona shirt, he had sent positive messages, everything seemed to go well.
“He will start a new adventure now, something different. I don’t want to judge him, our world is a particular one. It can be his fault or a shared decision. Maybe it can be the b est thing for both, we can’t say anything.
“If you ask me, the thing you would have wanted is to see him end his career at Barcelona.”
Lionel Messi has left Barcelona as a free agent as PSG and Manchester City are the favourites to land the services of the 34-year-old.
Barcelona on Thursday revealed that their star man whose contract expired on June 30 will no longer be part of the team 'because of financial and structural obstacles.’
"Despite FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi having reached an agreement and the clear intention of both parties to sign a new contract today, this cannot happen because of financial and structural obstacles (Spanish Liga regulations).
"As a result of this situation, Messi shall not be staying on at FC Barcelona. Both parties deeply regret that the wishes of the player and the club will ultimately not be fulfilled.
"FC Barcelona wholeheartedly expresses its gratitude to the player for his contribution to the aggrandisement of the club and wishes him all the very best for the future in his personal and professional life."
Messi made 778 appearances for Barcelona after making his debut in 2003 and is the club’s all-time top scorer with 672 goals. He won 35 trophies with the club including four UEFA Champions League trophies and 10 La Liga titles.
