Lionel Messi’s sad exit shows players are at the bottom of football’s power structure

Even in his moment of greatest sadness there was no recrimination, only departing tears, which Barcelona then repackaged as content

Lionel Messi speaks during a press conference at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Fittingly, it began and ended with a napkin. Lionel Messi’s first Barcelona contract was signed hastily on a restaurant serviette.

Now, as he sobbed his way through his farewell press conference, his wife, Antonella, stepped forward from the front row to hand him a tissue.