Lionel Messi Leaves FC Barcelona After 18 Years: OFFICIAL | Club Statement Below

Leo Messi was all set to renew his contract with Barcelona, but in a shocking revelation, Messi will not be staying at FC Barcelona anymore. Messi played his first senior game for Barca in 2004.

(File Photo/ Getty Images)

Barcelona: Football's biggest name, Lionel Messi has decided to end his association with the Spanish club, FC Barcelona. He was 14 when he joined the club, now he is 33, so Messi stayed all his senior club life at FC Barcelona. It comes as a shock as Messi was supposed to sign a new contract with Barca at a less salary, as it was reported. 

The information was shared by FC Barcelona's official Twitter handle. 

LATEST NEWS | Leo #Messi will not continue with FC Barcelona

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 5, 2021

Here is the official statement from the Spanish Club:

“Despite having reached an agreement between Barça and Leo Messi and with the clear intention of both parties to sign a new contract today, it will not be possible to formalize due to economic and structural obstacles (Spanish LaLiga 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."

Earlier today, Spanish media outlet MARCA had reported that Messi will not be renewing his contract with FC Barcelona. Football fans are in shock after this latest development. 

As reported earlier after Barcelona's humiliating 8-2 loss during the Champions League, Messi almost forced his way out of the club but triggering a clause that made him a free agent. But later, Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu said that no such clause existed.

Lionel Messi has been playing for FC Barcelona all through his senior career of 18 years after his debut in 2004. He has spent all his senior career playing for Barcelona.