Lionel Messi will not be playing in the iconic red and blue Barcelona colours from the next season onwards, announced the club in an official statement on Thursday. 

The La Liga club cited in the statement that even with both parties reaching an agreement along with clear intention of doing so, the contract could not happen because of financial difficulties and blames the Spanish league regulations (Spanish Liga regulations).

“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 (Spanish Liga regulations), the statement read.

“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.”

Messi joined Barcelona when he made his competitive debut for the club in 2004 at the age of 13. Now at his departure he stands as the player with most goals, the most appearances, the most titles and a host of other mammoth records.

It’s been over a month since his contract with Barca expired. Just when fans were expecting an agreement with the striker, the club broke the news of him leaving over financial crutches.

In theory, Messi could be taken by any of the clubs with his sheer amount of skills, popularity and single handedly winning matches. However it will be a tough job for his agents to resolve a new contract with less than two weeks before the start of the new season.

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