Lionel Messi is all set to leave FC Barcelona, the club confirmed on Thursday. The Catalan club released an official statement in this regard and cited economic obstacles as the reason behind the development.
The official statement by the club 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."
The timeline is already Messi
— Twitter Sports (@TwitterSports) August 5, 2021
"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's contract expired at Barcelona at the end of June and was free to ink a fresh deal with other clubs. However, the club stated that the Argentine had expressed his desire to prolong his stay with the Spainish giants and was also ready to take a huge wage cut in order to make it happen. It was also reported that the midfielder would sign a new five-year deal with the club.
Thank you, Leo. pic.twitter.com/cdS9xWe8Me
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 5, 2021
Earlier in 2020, Messi tried to leave Barcelona and also made a formal request in this regard following a break down 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 joined Barcelona at the age of 13 and is also the club's leading goal scorer. He also has the highest number of appearance with the club (672 goals in 778 games in all competitions).
