All-time great Lionel Messi will leave Barcelona despite both parties having reached an agreement over a new contract.
The La Liga giants cited economic and structural obstacles to the renewal of the deal in their statement on Thursday.
“Despite FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi having reached an agreement and the clear intention of both parties to sign a new contract today, this cannot happen because of financial and structural obstacles (Spanish La Liga regulations),” Barca said in a statement.
“As a result of this situation, Messi shall not be staying on at FC Barcelona. Both parties deeply regret that the wishes of the player and the club will ultimately not be fulfilled.
“FC Barcelona wholeheartedly expresses its gratitude to the player for his contribution to the aggrandisement of the club and wishes him all the very best for the future in his personal and professional life.”
Messi was free to negotiate a transfer with other clubs after his deal ran out at the end of June, but Barcelona had always maintained he wanted to stay with the club.
The 34-year-old was reportedly ready to sign a new five-year deal.
Messi had tried to leave Barcelona in August 2020, making a formal request for an exit after a breakdown in his relationship with then-president Josep Maria Bartomeu but successor Joan Laporta, who presided over the Argentine’s rise to greatness, convinced him to stay.
Messi, who joined Barca’s youth set up aged 13, is the club’s all-time top scorer and appearance maker, with 672 goals in 778 games in all competitions.
Midfielder
Roar Guru
Interesting, comment... you made... I would add as well without the supporting players in that Baca side into your equation... as an aside the Man U side that did the treble had aside from the two strikers, four mids that could all score and create... they all helped each other as who do you mark... Barca had more than Messi who could score and create... that helped a lot IMO... like many (myself included) are under the belief that messi wouldnt perform as well in another league, until that happens c ronaldo will always be above him imo
Kevin
Guest
That’s classic !!
Marcel
Guest
Says it's been a lifelong dream to line up with Matt Simon!
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
finally, now this slightly levels the field with c ronaldo in that debate. like many (myself included) are under the belief that messi wouldnt perform as well in another league, until that happens c ronaldo will always be above him imo there's only 2 teams that realistically could afford messi and they're both teams that continually breaks FFP (man city & psg)
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Imagine Messi setting up goals for Usain Bolt. That would have doubled the Mariners fan base to 4 men & 2 dogs!
Guppy
Guest
I'm hoping for a "Leo Messi - Welcome to Gosford! Tricks, Skills & Goals" video
Ad-O
Guest
I wouldn't labour the point too hard. Both Barca and Madrid have had extremely favourable tax treatment in the past including the Madrid Council buying Real's training ground for €400M and letting them train their free of charge.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
The Spanish tax system is Barcelonas problem, Messi earnt 550m euro yet has to pay 370m euro tax on that over 4 years. He is Spains highest tax payer during that contract whereas before that he received a one year suspended sentence over tax. I thought Messi was taking full advantage of Barcelona financially, it turns out while he earned much more than a whole NBA team but he only gets 45m euro a year after tax, about 55m US after tax whereas US top tax rate is 37% and a player earning 50m US gets just over 30m. The Middle East on the other hand the players get their wage tax free would get their accomodation and other stuff paid for as well.
Kevin
Guest
Linked with the Mariners I’ve heard !
Ad-O
Guest
People keep telling me Football isn't popular in Australia because of incompetent leadership and I don't buy it. So let me present you Exhibit A.....