Argentine superstar Lionel Messi will not be continuing with the Barcelona colours from the next season onwards. The ace footballer will not play for the club, citing economic and structural obstacles.
Barcelona FC announced the same in an official statement on Thursday. “Despite FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi having agreed and the apparent intention of both parties to sign a new contract today, this cannot happen because of financial and structural obstacles (Spanish La Liga regulations),” FC Barcelona said in a statement.
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.
The club wholeheartedly expressed its gratitude to Messi for his contribution to the growth of FC Barcelona and wished him all the very best for the future in his personal and professional life. He scored 672 goals in 778 appearances for Barcelona.
Meanwhile, club president Joan Laporta on Friday said that keeping Messi would be risky for Barcelona and not even the greatest player in the world was worth jeopardizing the club’s future.