Argentine footballer Lionel Messi parted ways with FC Barcelona, ending a 20-year-long journey with the club as both parties failed to renew the agreement “because of financial and structural obstacles”.
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), the club announced on Facebook.
As a result of this situation, Messi, who is all-time top scorer of the club with 678 goals in 778 matches, 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 joined the club at age of 13.
