Barcelona have announced that Lionel Messi will not renew his contract with the Catalan giants. Messi will not be staying at the Blaugrana due to “financial and structural obstacles”, the club announced on Thursday.
The Argentine’s contract expired at the end of last season and was expected to commit to a new deal before the new season begins, Messi reportedly agreed a 50% reduction in wages with news of the new contract expected this week ahead of the Joan Gamper Trophy match against Juventus.
But the Catalan club are unable to register new signings due to LaLiga salary restrictions as a result of their dire financial situation. Following widespread reports in the Spanish media, the club has confirmed that the forward will not be staying at the club. A 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 financial and structural obstacles (Spanish Liga regulations).
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”.
Messi is widely acknowledged as Barcelona’s greatest ever player having scored 672 goals and provided 265 assists in 778 appearances for the LaLiga giants. He has been part of four triumphant champions league teams, also winning ten laliga titles and three Club world cup trophies among his haul of 35 trophies. SOURCE: Fotmob/http://barcablaugranes.com/