End of an era: Messi leaves Barca

The 34-year-old Argentine - without a club since July 1st - will not sign a new contract with the club he loves. The tough struggle for the future of the exceptional footballer took a decisive turn on Thursday. What began around 21 years ago with a signature supposedly on a napkin and led, among other things, to 35 joint titles, ended with an eight-line press release.

"Even if FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi have reached an agreement and there was a clear intention from both parties to sign a new contract today, this cannot happen due to financial and structural obstacles (Spanish League regulations)," Barca said. Notice. “Both sides deeply regret that the wishes of the player and the club are ultimately not fulfilled.”

The club did not initially provide any details as to why it was not possible to continue the collaboration. It could be the rules of Financial Fair Play in Spain. The league sets the upper limits for the total amount of salary payments permitted by the clubs. The upper limit should result from the difference between income and expenses. The league significantly reduced Barca's budget last year as a result of the corona pandemic.

Barca supporters gathered in front of the club's headquarters on Thursday evening after Messi's departure was announced. © ANSA / ALEJANDRO GARCIA

It remains to be seen whether the regulations should only be used as an excuse for the dissolution of a marriage that has long since broken down. The fact is: something unparalleled in sport is over. In addition to a total of 35 titles with FC Barcelona, Messi was the top goalscorer with 672 goals in the club's 121-year history. He played 778 games for FC Barcelona, who brought him from Rosario in Argentina in 2000 as a 13-year-old.

It remains to be seen what will happen next for the six-time world footballer. Manchester City with Pep Guardiola, his former successful coach at Barca, is always being traded. Paris Saint-Germain could certainly afford Messi, who recently celebrated the long-awaited first title triumph with the national team and won the Copa America. The 34-year-old, who lives with his three sons and his wife around 20 kilometers from Barcelona, has not yet commented.

ES Primera Division International	SP	TV	P
1. Real Madrid	34	74:22	87
2.Girona F.C.	34	73:42	74
3. FC Barcelona	34	70:43	73
4. Atletico Madrid	34	63:39	67
5. Athletic Bilbao	34	55:33	61
6. Royal Society	34	48:35	54
View all

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Winter sports

Hockey

Tennis

Other sports

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

End of an era: Messi leaves Barca

The almost unimaginable has come true: Lionel Messi no longer plays for FC Barcelona.

Suggestions