Lionel Messi has confessed he decided to walk away from Spain for the best of Barcelona.

The Argentine has asked forgiveness from Barcelona fans and accepted responsibility as the leader of the club hoping to brighten things up in the days to come.

"After so many disagreements, I would like to put an end to this," Messi said in an interview with Sport.

"All Barcelonistas have to come together and assume that the best is ahead of us.

"Showing passion and excitement will be the only way of achieving our objectives, always united and pulling in the same direction.

"I accept responsibility for my mistakes.

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"If they existed, it was only to make a better and stronger Barcelona.

"I wanted to send a message to all the members and Cules that follow us.

"If any of them were offended by something I said or did at any moment, let them be in no doubt that I did it while always thinking about the best thing for the club."

Messi handed a transfer request in a bid to leave Barcelona few days after Blaugranas 8-2 Champions League quarter-final thrashing by Bayern Munich.

The Argentine is in the final stage of his current contract and was obligated to serve it before his departure which he later accepted to following various closed-door meetings with Messi's representatives and club president, Josep Bartomeu.

The appointment of Ronald Koeman has seen a few senior players axed from the team – Ivan Rakitic, Luis Suarez, Arturo Vidal and Nelson Semedo.

Philippe Coutinho has been impressive under the new manager and was pivotal in Barca’s 4-0 win against Villarreal on Sunday.