Messi Finally Dumps Barcelona
- As contract talks break down
Argentine captain, Lionel Messi will not be signing a new contract at Barcelona, the club confirmed in a statement that confirmed the Argentine is now set to leave the Catalan side.
He is leaving the Catalan club after 21 years following a breakdown in negotiations over a new deal on Thursday, August 5, 2021.
Messi, whose contract expired this summer, was expected to commit to a new deal ahead of the coming season. He held talks with the club on Thursday and both parties had hoped to reach an agreement that would see Messi remain at Camp Nou.
However, reports said there were discrepancies that have put the deal at risk of collapsing between both parties.
According to a statement posted on its website, the club 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 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.”
The initial pact between Messi and Barca
The 34-year-old had initially agreed to sign a new five-year contract with the Spanish giants in a deal that would have seen his weekly wage reduced by 50 per cent.
But the club’s dire financial straits made it impossible for them to register him for the new season without drastically reducing their wage bill.
Likely destination for Messi
Ahead of the new season, Messi will have a host of teams to choose from. However, it remains to be seen which of the clubs can afford to have his signature.
Already, waiting eagerly to lure him, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City are regarded as two of the few teams that can easily match his salary demands. Also, reports said Messi has expressed a desire to move back to his boyhood club, Newell’s Old Boys to finish his illustrious career.
Messi achievements at Barca
Messi arrived in Camp Nou at age 13 and progressed through the youth system to make his debut in 2003 when he was just 16.
Over the years, he has unarguably blossomed into one the greatest to ever play the ball game, claiming 10 La Liga titles and four Champions League crowns among a plethora of other trophies.
After many years of near-misses, the sixth-time FIFA Ballon d’Or winner recently led Argentina to a major championship trophy for the first time, beating host Brazil 1-0 in the finals to cart home the Copa America crown this year.
