Lionel Messi will not sign a new contract at Barcelona, the club has confirmed in a statement that confirmed the Argentine is now set to leave the Catalan side.
The Argentine star's latest deal expired this summer but he was expected to commit to a new contract ahead of the new season.
Messi held talks with the club on Thursday and although both parties hoped to reach an agreement that would see Messi remain at Camp Nou, but there were discrepancies that put the deal at risk of collapsing .
Messi moved to Camp Nou at the age of 13 and progressed through the youth system to make his debut in 2003 when he was just 16.
He has blossomed into arguably the greatest to ever play the game, claiming 10 La Liga titles and four Champions League crowns among a plethora of other trophies.
Messi recently won a major trophy with Argentina for the first time, helping them to Copa America success this year.
He played 778 matches for the catalan side scoring 672 goals while providing 305 assist in more han a decade at the club.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM BARCELONA BELOW:
Despite club and player reaching an agreement and their clear intention to sign a new contract today, this cannot happen because of financial and structural obstacles
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.
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