Lionel Messi looks at Barcelona’s exit door after over 20 years
Barcelona, on Thursday, announced that it could not reach an agreement to keep Lionel Messi at the club, leaving the exit door open for the Argentine star after more than 20 years.
In a statement released by the club, Barcelona made clear that the two parties had come to an agreement over financial terms and a contract extension, but the economic and structural rules posed by LaLiga’s economic controls has made this unfortunate situation a reality.
The club’s statement read, “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 Spanish LaLiga regulations on player registration.
“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.”
With the development, Messi set to leave the Catalan side after joining as a 13-year old.
