Argentina striker Lionel Messi will leave Barcelona despite both parties having reached an agreement over a new contract, the La Liga club said on Thursday, citing economic and structural obstacles to the renewal of deal.
“Although an agreement has been reached between FC Barcelona and Leo Messi it cannot be formalised due to economic and structural obstacles,” said a statement from the club.
“Faced with this situation, Lionel Messi will not remain linked to Barcelona. Both sides deeply regret that the wishes of both the player and the club cannot come true.”
LATEST NEWS | Leo #Messi will not continue with FC Barcelona
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 5, 2021
Messi, who joined Barca’s youth setup aged 13, is the club’s all-time top scorer with 672 in a record 778 appearances.
The Argentinian has been named world’s best player a record six times.
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.
Messi had tried to leave Barcelona in August 2020, making a formal request for an exit after a break down in his relationship with then-president Josep Maria Bartomeu.
But his successor Joan Laporta, who presided over the Argentine’s rise to stardom, convinced him to stay.
Messi’s Barcelona trophies
Champions Leagues – 4
La Liga titles – 10
Spanish Cups – 7
European Super Cups – 3
Spanish Super Cups – 8
Club World Cups – 3
By Aljazeera
KISS NEWS 