Saviola leaves Barca with bitter taste

MADRID, June 18 (Reuters) Argentine striker Javier Saviola has said he is leaving Barcelona after six years with a ''bitter taste'' in his mouth because of the club's treatment of him in his final season.

''They haven't treated me well, but that's their business,'' the 25-year-old international told a news conference today.

''They'll have their reasons for acting that way, but I'm leaving with my conscience clear, knowing that I've always tried to do my best.'' ''I'm not singling anyone out, but I'm leaving with a bitter taste.'' Saviola said although the club made him a belated offer to renew his contract it was ''more of an invitation to leave the club than anything else and that's why I decided to leave.'' The Argentine also said he was disappointed with coach Frank Rijkaard who left him out of the squad for the team's final home game against Espanyol nine days ago.

''It hurt me quite a lot,'' he said. ''I had hoped to say goodbye to the fans after six years. It would have been a nice gesture.'' Saviola joined Barca from River Plate for 28 million dollar in 2001, but dropped down the pecking order when Rijkaard took charge of the team in 2003.

He was loaned to Monaco in 2004 and spent the 2005/6 season at Sevilla before returning to Barcelona for season that has just ended.

Although he turned in some impressive performances at the start of the year, he dropped out of the reckoning soon after and was given few chances in the first team.

Saviola said he had not yet signed for another club, but he was not closing doors to anyone including Barca's arch-rivals Real Madrid.

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