These are few moments in the AoT manga that genuinely made me cry.
Comparing Eren's actions now from before, i feel like he said that because He Knows what's going to happen (everything is predestined, right? There's no stopping shit).
He knows he's gonna sacrifice his humanity, his friends, innocent people, the survey corps, and pretty much everything for the sake of freedom. He knows he's going to turn himself into a devil (literally) and he's sure of how his friends will feel about him (precisely why he didn't entrust his plans to any of them imo).
He knows they'll probably hate him in the future, so during that specific moment, he made Absolutely Sure to let them know how he Genuinely felt. So that even if they hated & doubted him right now, that moment will serve as a reminder that there was a time, where he truly, wholeheartedly & genuinely cared for them. He still probably does, but his actions make it so hard for them to believe (even though, he completely has a reason for it).
it's really sad seeing all the characters go through shit. Eren wants his friends to live long, happy lives right? But that's proving to be impossible with every passing moment. His actions are causing them grief but i know everything was/is necessary for the sake of freedom.
Props to Attack on Titan for being absolutely unpredictable. We never know what's going to happen next. All i know is that every character has had enough. I just want them all to rest and be happy. Yams please huhu :<