Football: Lionel Messi leaving Barcelona, club cites 'economic and structural' issues

Football superstar Lionel Messi has played for Barcelona since he was 13. In shock news today, the club announced he was leaving. Photo / Getty

Football superstar Lionel Messi is leaving Barcelona.

Messi, 34, has represented Barcelona since he was 13 years old, scoring 672 goals at the senior level in 778 appearances. With him, the team has won La Liga 10 times, the Copa del Rey seven times and the Champions League four times.

He is a six-time winner of the Ballon d'Or, awarded to the best player in the world.

Messi's contract expired at the end of June, making him a free agent. He was expected to sign a new contract at Barcelona, but on Thursday the club announced it could not afford to re-sign him due to "economic and structural issues".

"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," Barcelona said, pointing to 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 best for the future in his personal and professional life."

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

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 5, 2021

The Spanish league requires its clubs to comply with a spending limit, and the coronavirus pandemic has tightened that limit considerably, with Barcelona's spending already cut by more than a third.

The club has been trying to reduce its wage bill.

Nevertheless, Barcelona President Joan Laporta had been maintaining that he was "confident" that Messi would end up staying.

Last month Spanish media reported the two sides had reached a broad agreement regarding the terms of a new contract, including a 50 per cent reduction in his salary.

But a photo of Messi with Brazilian star Neymar and several of his teammates from French club PSG sent the rumour mill running wild before Barcelona confirmed the split.

Hmmmmm 👀 pic.twitter.com/yerThm7UHG

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) August 5, 2021

Messi's sudden availability on the transfer market will send massive ripples through world football, with other clubs likely to put their previous plans on hold.

English giant Manchester City, for example, is reportedly on the cusp of signing Jack Grealish for $188 million. For City, the idea of signing Messi could put that deal on pause.