Lionel Messi Leaving FC Barcelona after 21 years
Everything was going fine the past few weeks when FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi seemed to have reached a verbal agreement of an extension. However the size of the contract became and obstacle especially with the debt FC Barcelona has accumulated due to its expensive players in the past followed by lockdowns due to pandemic.
Messi will be greatly missed as he has been with the club since he was 13 years old and played professional with the Catalan club for 16 straight seasons. I am sure Messi feels the same way.
In a statement by FC Barcelona:
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).
FC Barcelona