Argentina striker Lionel Messi will leave Barcelona despite both parties having reached an agreement over a new contract, the La Liga club said Thursday, citing economic and structural obstacles to the renewal of deal.
"Despite Barca and Messi having reached an agreement and the clear intention of both parties to sign a new contract, this cannot happen because of financial and structural obstacles (Spanish La Liga regulations)," Barca said in a statement.
"As a result of this situation, Messi shall not be staying on at Barca. Both parties deeply regret that the wishes of the player and the club will ultimately not be fulfilled.
"Barca wholeheartedly expresses 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."
LATEST NEWS | Leo #Messi will not continue with FC Barcelona
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 5, 2021
Messi was free to negotiate a transfer with other clubs after his deal ran out at the end of June, but Barca had always maintained he wanted to stay with the club.
The 34-year old was reported to sign a new five-year deal.
Messi had tried to leave Barca in August 2020, making a formal request for an exit after 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, who joined Barca's youth set up aged 13, is the club's all-time top scorer and appearance maker with 672 goals in 778 games in all competitions.
