Lionel Messi will not play for FC Barcelona anymore as the contract between the two has ended over economic and structural obstacles.
In an official statement released by FC Barcelona, it was said “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)”.
LATEST NEWS | Leo #Messi will not continue with FC Barcelona
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 5, 2021
Spanish football league La Liga President Javier Tebas reported last week that Spain’s biggest football club is in debt of $1.18 billion.
The Argentine star’s deal had expired this summer but he was expected to sign a new contract ahead of the new season. Messi had agreed to sign the new contract even though it would reduce his weekly wage by 50%.
Read more: The reason Messi almost quit Barcelona
Messi had returned to Barcelona from vacation on Wednesday with hopes that he would certainly sign a new five-year deal with the club, with reports saying only minor details had to be worked through between the two parties before the deal was made official this weekend.
But with this new announcement everything has changed and literally everyone, Messi included, in the sports world is blindsided by the news.
Messi has not made any public statement yet and will not do so until there is more clarity, and some of that clarity should have already come from the press conference by President Joan Laporta.
During his conference, he stated that “The club is a 100 year old and is above everyone and everything, even above the best player in the world. Leo deserves everything. He has his roots in Barcelona and if you allow me to say what I feel personally, I am sad but I’m convinced that we have done what’s best for the club.
Read more: Lionel Messi unwilling to renew Barca contract
Leo wanted to stay so he’s not happy. But for him right now, is a situation in which he has to confront reality that cannot be changed. I wish him the best wherever he goes.”
❝𝗟𝗲𝗼 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆.❞
— @JoanLaportaFCB pic.twitter.com/g7eVNJLin1
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 6, 2021
According to reports, Messi wants to say goodbye to the fans and wants to release a joint statement with Barça.
Public Reaction
The news has spread like wildfire as Messi becomes the top trend on Twitter. There have been numerous reports of fans mourning outside Camp Nou in their Messi jerseys.
Camp Nou right now
📸 | State of shocked Barcelona fans after the announcement of the departure of Lionel Messi. 💔 pic.twitter.com/wpoafsNoHx— Kweku Ranker (@KwekuRanker) August 6, 2021
Pakistani football fans have also taken to twitter to speak on the matter.
A user requested that FC Barcelona should retire No.10 in honor of Lionel Messi.
FC BARCELONA SHOULD RETIRE NO.10 FOREVER IN HONOUR OF GREATEST FOOTBALLER EVER.#Messi #GOAT #LionelMessi pic.twitter.com/qJbwWbISgC
— Umer Baig (@baegumer) August 5, 2021
Others thanked Messi for the countless memories he made during his time in Barca.
Words cannot describe what this man means to me, I am lost for words right now. 💔😭
We love and support you Messi, no matter what. Thank you for everything Legend. ❤️🙌#GOAT 🐐#Messi#Barcelona pic.twitter.com/5fP0RRnQb7— 🇵🇸 (@_Hamxa19) August 5, 2021
Don't cry because it's ending, smile because it happened.#Leo #Messi #Barca #Legend #GOAT pic.twitter.com/fvQPVRxBVv
— Shair Ali (@shair_009) August 5, 2021
Looking back at the journey
Messi has received six Ballon d’Or awards, the most for any football player, as well as the 2009 FIFA World Player of the Year and 2019 The Best FIFA Men’s Player. Messi holds the record for most goals in La Liga (474), the Supercopa de España (14), and the UEFA Super Cup (3) and is the player with the most official recorded assists in football history (315). He has scored 777 goals for club and country throughout his professional career and is also the first player in history to win six European Golden Shoes.
Looking at his personal achievements over the years, he has won:
-1x Best FIFA Men’s Player
-6x Ballon d’Or Winner
-5x Golden Boot Winner
-6x Best Assist Provider
-3x UEFA Best Player in Europe
-20x Top Scorer
-10x Player of the Year
And for his club:
– 4x UEFA Champions League Winner
– 10x La Liga Winner
– 7x Copa del Rey Winner
– 8x Spanish Super Cup Winner
– 3x FIFA Club World Cup Winner
– 3x UEFA Super Cup Winner
What’s next?
According to reports, Messi is most likely to join Paris Saint-Germain Football Club, commonly referred to as Paris Saint-Germain. Fabrizio Romano has reported that PSG have already made direct contact with Messi, who himself has also contacted Mauricio Pochettino (the manager of the team).