FCBARCELONA.CAT

18.06.2007 14:25

Saviola announces his farewell

Roger Bogunyà

The Argentina striker confirmed at a press conference on Monday morning that he is leaving FC Barcelona when his current deal expires on 30th June.

“I’ve taken the decision to leave the club and start a new stage”. These were Saviola’s opening words at today’s press conference but he went on to say that he was satisfied at having done “a good job” and expressed his “enormous gratitude” to the fans.

The fans

He told reporters,” I’ve had many experiences here and made some great friends” and emphasised that the main thing was that, “I’ve had the support, the affection and the unconditional appreciation of the fans”.

No regrets

However, Saviola also admitted that his situation in the club had not always gone the way he would have liked: “There’s a bitter taste for not having things clear. The offer to renew was an invitation for me to go [but] I’m going without resentment and forgetting the bad things”.

Saviola also denied that he regretted staying for this final season in Barça: “I said in January when I was playing and I’ll say again now, when I haven’t been playing so much: I’ve always wanted to see out my contract here”.

His future

Asked about his immediate future, Saviola told us: “I still haven’t decided where I’ll play next season. I haven’t signed anything. I’ll take a decision this week or the following one. I was waiting for the end of the league”.

Saviola refused to rule out any possibility and insisted that he would not be letting the Barça fans down if he eventually joined Real Madrid: “I wouldn’t betray people if I did because I’m a professional. I wouldn’t do it out of resentment nor to hurt people, which is the last thing I would do”.