Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman admits seeing Lionel Messi leave for PSG was tough to take.
Koeman says he was kept in the dark by president Joan Laporta over plans not to renew Messi's contract, having planned for the season around the Argentine great.
He explained, "It was a big blow. All the planning for the season has been done with him on the team.
"Leo, moreover, after what happened last season with burofax, was super motivated, at a very high level and of course losing the best player in the world like that is something that hurts and affects you.
"It is not only Messi who left, but a symbol of this club."
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