Six-time Ballon D’Or winner Lionel Messi made the headlines this week, as it was announced by Barcelona that the Argentine will not be signing a new contract with the Spanish giant.
The 34-year-old forward contract with the Catalan side expired this summer, and he was expected to sign a new contract with the club ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.
The Argentine forward was reported to have held talks with Barcelona on Thursday and it was understood that both parties wish to reach an agreement that will see the player remain at the club, but things fell apart in the end.
A statement on the club’s website read via best payout online casino: “Despite FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi has 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.”
The Argentina international was reported to have agreed to sign a new five-year contract with Barcelona and the new deal will see his weekly wage reduced by 50%. But the Catalan’s side financial crisis was still unable to keep up with this, making it impossible for them to agree on the deal.
Although there are many incredible clubs across Europe hoping to sign Messi, it still remains uncertain which giant club could afford to sign the Argentina legend and best south African online casino wants to see how this will turn out.
Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain were reported to be keen on signing Messi and they are seen as two of the few teams that could potentially afford his salary demands.
With many suitors chasing the player, a twist of fate could see him playing for boyhood club, having previously expressed his desire to return to Newell’s Old Boys to end his glorious career.
Ever since moving to Camp Nou at the age of 13, Messi progressed through the ranks of the Spanish club to make his debut in 2003 at the age of 16. The rest is history.
Messi grew up to become one of the greatest footballers to ever grace football, having won 10 La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies among his huge story of other trophies.
And for the first time in his international career, Messi helped Argentina lift a major trophy with the national team has led them to the Copa America title this year.
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