MUMBAI: After months of “will he stay, won’t he”, Barcelona confirmed Thursday that Lionel Messi will not be playing in the colours of the LaLiga giants from the next season onwards.
Over a month since Messi’s contract with the iconic Catalan club, with which he has been “joined at the hip” since his youth days, expired and the world’s best footballer, who is currently on holiday in Ibiza, is headed elsewhere.
“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),” the club’s statement read.
Earlier, Barcelona president Juan Laporte had said that the club’s attempts to offer Messi a new contract were being held up because of LaLiga’s financial control measures. LaLiga introduced financial control measures in 2013 establishing a maximum amount of money each club can spend on its playing squad and coaching staff each season, conditioned by their income.
Barca have the highest revenues in world soccer according to this year’s Deloitte Money League, although income dropped by €125 million last year due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, which is why the LaLiga giants are losing their greatest-ever player. As per the information available with SportzPower, Barca’s losses this year will be €487m.
One surprising fallout of all this is the churlish statement the club released, DESPITE the fact Messi is Barcelona’s all-time record goalscorer, assist provider and appearance maker – not to mention the amount of trophies he’s won the club.
Barca’s statement in full:
“Despite having reached an agreement between FC Barcelona and Leo Messi and with the clear intention of both parties to sign a new contract today, it cannot be formalized due to economic and structural obstacles (Spanish LaLiga regulations).
“Given this situation, Lionel Messi will not continue linked to FC Barcelona.
“Both parties deeply regret that the wishes of both the player and the Club cannot finally be fulfilled.
“Barça would like to thank with all its heart the player’s contribution to the enhancement of the institution and wishes him the best in his personal and professional life.”
