Official!
It is official. Lionel Messi will not continue his career at FC Barcelona. The 34-year-old, who is currently the most valuable free agent on the planet could soon become the most valuable free signing once he has joined his new club. Barcelona, in the meantime, will have to move on from a player that has defined the club’s history over the last 16 years.
The club announcement is surprising after reports emerged over the last few days that an agreement was in place for Messi to stay at Barça. But then earlier today a report by Marca suggested that the Catalans did not have the financial freedom to keep Messi on board.
Barcelona confirmed this much in an official club statement. Despite “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 LaLiga regulations),” the club statement read. “As a result of the situation, Messi shall not be staying on at FC Barcelona.”
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Journalists Veronica Brunati, Marcelo Bechler, and Sergio Gonzalez have denied reports that the club’s financial situation and squad composition were the reasons for the failed contract situation. Those reports are backed up by the club’s statement on Thursday. The new contract was supposed to be announced on the day the club plays for the traditional Trofeo Joan Gamper.
Brunati and Bechler believe the main reason is the failure to launch the European Super League and the LaLiga deal with the investment company CVC. Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Juventus are the only clubs still convinced by the Super League project. The project was an important part to secure the finances necessary to sign Messi to a new contract.
Barcelona like Real, do not want to be a part of the CVC deal because it would mean the definite end of the Super League. League boss Javier Tebas, in turn, wants to bury the Super League and without Barça agreeing to the CVC deal, the league will not register Messi.
