Barcelona in a
statement on Thursday evening announced Leo Messi will leave the Catalan club
after spending 21 years at the club. The club's statement read: "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 Liga
regulations).
"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 had already agreed a 50% weekly wage cut and
agreed to sign a new five-year contract two weeks after his contract expired on
July 1, but Barcelona were unable to register him without making a drastic cut
on their overall wage bill. Barcelona were unable to sell a number of players like
Antoine Griezmann, Coutinho, Samuel Umtiti and Miralem Pjanic.
Messi leaves as Barcelona's record scorer with 672
goals in 778 appearances, and has won 10 La Liga titles, four Champions
Leagues, seven Copa del Reys and has won the Ballon d'Or six times.
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