Lionel Messi leaves Barcelona

Decorated Argentine icon Lionel Messi will leave Barcelona at the end of this summer.

According to the British media, The Athletic, Messi had agreed to another contract with his boyhood club after his lucrative contract ran out. But Barcelona’s financial misfortune only implies that the Spanish giants have to be frugal with their spending on wages and players’ transfers, hence the stalled contract.

The Catalans released a statement on Thursday evening, revealing that the club’s all-time goal scorer will not be able to renew his contract.

The club was quoted by the Athletic stating in a statement: “Despite FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi has 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 a contract deadlock with the club last year when he vowed to exit the club after a disappointing performance in the Uefa Champions League. But the entry of Ronald Koeman in the last window quelled tension at the club allowing him to settle for a season.