Messi’s history at FC Barcelona comes to an end.
After 21 years at the Catalan club, the Argentine striker will not renew his contract, despite the fact that both parties already had a preliminary agreement and only the last details were missing.
Something happened in the last hours.
FC Barcelona limited itself to informing that the renewal “cannot be formalized due to economic and structural obstacles “.
” The two parties deeply regret that finally the player’s wishes cannot be fulfilled. as from the club, “he said.
” Barça would like to thank with all its heart the player’s contribution to the enhancement of the institution and wishes him the best in his personal and professional life. “
Messi did not offer any statement immediately.
According to sources from the Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo, “the Argentine forward and He’s in shock ”and has no plans to offer any reaction.
But what was it that prevented the continuity of one of the most successful relationships in world football?
1. The breakdown of 2026
Messi won it all with Barça: 10 La Liga titles , 4 of the Champions League , 7 of the King’s Cup, 3 of the European Super Cup and 3 of the Club World Cup.
On a personal level, he says goodbye as the club’s top scorer, with 672 so many , in addition to 6 times he won the Ballon d’Or .
It seemed that Messi’s career, today of 34 year os, had to end with the retirement of the Argentine with the “culé” shirt that he has defended since the 13 years.
However, Messi was no longer happy in the team.
“A long time ago that there is no project and there is nothing, they are juggling and covering holes, “he reproached the board of directors last year, after communicating his intention to leave.
” The president He always said that at the end of the season I could decide if I wanted to go or if I wanted to stay and in the end he did not end up keeping his word, “he said in an interview with the Goal site.
To avoid a legal dispute, the Argentine opted to remain unhappy and not fight against “the club of my life.”
2. The complex negotiation of salary
Josep María’s departure Bartomeu and the arrival of Joan Laporta to the presidency of the Catalan club changed Messi’s perspectives.
The player was more satisfied with Laporta’s project and the promises to improve the team.
In this season, the team failed to achieve all his goals : he won the Copa del Rey, but finished third in La Liga, lost the final of the Spanish Super Cup and was eliminated in the second round of the Champions League.
Despite this, Messi and Laporta assured that they had a preliminary agreement to sign the 11 3rd contract renewal.
The club financial problems complicated everything.
Like other teams, FC Barcelona is in financial difficulties derived from the drop in income due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Messi had agreed to reduce his salary to half of what he earned, some US $ 232 million according to sports press reports, and stay at FC Barcelona until 2026 .
The Argentine returned to Barcelona after a few days of vacation and this Thursday he had to sign his new contract.
But it was not like that.
3. The salary cap made it impossible
Renewing Messi implied that Barça raised its payment budget to players and exceed the spending limit allowed by the Spanish League.
This is determined through the income generated, which was lower in the pandemic.
While in season 2020 – 21 was capped at almost US $ 600 millions, for the next season he was only authorized to spend almost US $ 410 million.
So, Messi’s contract signing depended on the departures of players that would allow financing the salaries of the Argentine captain.
In this scenario, the club indicates in its statement this Thursday that there were “obstacles economic and structural “, alluding to the ” Spanish La Liga regulations “, that is, the salary cap.
There was no immediate response from La Liga to this point.
4. The injection of capital that Barça rejects
In the middle of negotiations , a agreement between La Liga and equity investment firm CVC Capital Partners was announced on Wednesday.
The pact, which has yet to be ratified by the club assembly in the coming days, would inject about US $ 3. 000 millions to Spanish football , of which 90% would be shared between the clubs.
Although only a fraction (15%) could be used to finance wages, capital pe It would allow to extend the salary cap of the clubs.
Although the capital inflow did not completely relieve the club of its salary problems, analysts speculated which was a way to unblock the hiring of Messi.
For FC Barcelona was not an option, as he reported this Thursday -hours after the announcement about Messi- that opposes the pact.
“The club considers the signing of a half-century contract inappropriate given the uncertainties that always they surround the world of football ”, said Barça.
5. Messi asked for more than money
Although Messi was satisfied in the aspect economic to continue with FC Barcelona, there were also other requests that the club could not give him.
The Spanish press assures that the Argentine requested the signing of his compatriot Cristian Romero , but the club has not been able to close the deal for the defender.
In recent weeks they hired Sergio Agüero and Memphis Depay, but Messi had argued that it was not enough to have a competitive team.
Laporta announced an appearance before the press for this Friday in which the president of the club will elaborate on the announcement that caused an earthquake in world football.
Where is it going?
Despite the announcements, analyst Andy West says it may not be the end of the relationship n of Messi with FC Barcelona.
“In fact, more than a final and definitive statement, it is actually a very risky tactical move in the club’s power game with La Liga “, the Spanish football expert tells BBC Sport.
” Maybe we can see Lionel Messi again with the jersey from Barcelona after all. ”
Since last year, when he announced his intention to move to another club, both Manchester City and Paris Saint Germain were the two clubs most indicated as possible destinations for the Argentine striker.
Although these possibilities are reopening after the announcement this Thursday, the English club has just introduced its new star forward, Jack Grealish, who will wear the shirt 10 the next season.
Messi has also said that he has always had the “illusion” of living in the United States and playing in the MLS.
Whatever his future, at this moment Messi is a free player, as his contract expired on 30 of June.
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