Lionel Messi finally leaves Barcelona after 20 years

After 20 years of scintillating football career, Argentina playmaker, Lionel Messi, finally ends his successful career with Barcelona after the superstar failed to reach an agreement on a new deal with the club, Barcelona announced on Thursday.

Reports recently claimed that Messi and Barcelona have reached an agreement to sign a new contract, but news in Spain says this cannot happen due to Spanish LaLiga financial regulations.

“Although an agreement has been reached between FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi, it cannot be formalised due to economic and structural obstacles,” the club said in a statement.

“Faced with this situation, Lionel Messi will not remain linked to Barcelona. Both sides deeply regret that the wishes of both the player and the club cannot come true.”

Read Also: Breaking: Lionel Messi staying at Barcelona

There has been a radical turnaround in the case of Messi’s renewal with Barcelona, with recent information being that the deal was close to being announced, yet a blockbuster revelation has suggested that Barcelona will now not be able to re-sign the Argentine.

Recent reports claimed that an investment made by CVC into LaLiga would make it easier for the Barcelona to stay under the salary cap with Messi taking a 50% pay cut.

Read Also: Inside Lionel Messi’s £500m Barcelona bumper deal

While the cash injection would help,  Barcelona still can’t still afford Messi’s wage bill.