Lionel Messi To Leave Barcelona, Says Club

Lionel Messi will end his 20-year career with Barcelona after the Argentine superstar failed to reach agreement on a new deal with the club, the Spanish giants announced.

LATEST NEWS | Leo #Messi will not continue with FC Barcelona Lionel Messi will end his 20-year career with Barcelona, a decision certain to spark a high-stakes scramble for the signature of a player widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time. "Although an agreement has been reached between FC Barcelona and Leo Messi it cannot be formalised due to economic and structural obstacles," said a statement from the club. "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." Six-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi, 34, last month finally landed a major international trophy with Argentina when they beat rivals Brazil to win the Copa America. But there had been doubts over his continuation at Barcelona ever since he tried to leave last August as a free agent, citing a clause in his contract and saying the club had had "no project or anything for a long time".