BARCELONA reports that Lionel Messi will not be staying at the club “because of financial and structural obstacles”.
Lionel Messi, 34, has been a free agent as of 1st July when his contract expired.
He agreed to a new deal on reduced wages with club two weeks later, but it was dependent on Barca selling players to afford his salary.
“Both parties deeply regret that the wishes of the player and the club will ultimately not be fulfilled,” the club said.
Barcelona had said Messi was poised to extend his 21-year career with the club by signing the new deal on Thursday, and blame La Liga for the failure to do so.
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He reached an agreement to stay with the Catalan side until 2026 – but La Liga said the club must reduce wages before he and any new players can be registered.
“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 La Liga regulations),” the club said.
“FC Barcelona wholeheartedly expresses its gratitude to the player for his contribution to the Growth of the club and wishes him all the very best for the future in his personal and professional life.”
Messi, Barcelona’s record scorer with 672 goals and has won 10 La Liga titles, four Champions Leagues and seven Copa del Reys, as well as claiming the Ballon d’Or on a record of six occasions.
Keeping Messi at the Nou Camp had been president Joan Laporta’s top priority this summer.
