Last update on.After 21 years of service and 672 goals, Lionel Messi has decided to leave Barcelona.Barcelona says Lionel Messi won't be staying with the club because of "financial and structural obstacles".Since 1 July, when his contract expired, Messi (34), has been a free agent.Two weeks later, he signed a new contract with the club on lower wages. However, it was contingent on Barca selling his players in order to afford his salary.The club stated that both the player and club deeply regretted the inability to fulfill their wishes.Barcelona claimed Messi was on track to extend his 21-year club career by signing the new contract on Thursday. La Liga is blaming the failure.He had agreed to remain with the Catalan side through 2026, but La Liga stated that he must lower his wages in order for him and other players to be registered.The club stated that "despite FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi reaching an agreement, and the clear intention by both parties to sign a contract today," it could not be done due to financial and structural barriers [Spanish La Liga regulations]."FC Barcelona sincerely thanks the player for his contribution in enhancing the club's success and wishes him the best for his professional and personal future."Messi holds the record for Barcelona's goal scorer, scoring 672 goals. He has also won 10 La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues.President Joan Laporta had made it his top priority to keep Messi at the Nou Camp this summer.Barca's financial woes have made it difficult for a player widely considered to be one of the greatest players of all time to continue playing at Barca.This year's presidential election was held in the background of Barca nearing bankruptcy.The Argentine is now the most sought-after player in world football.Messi's desire to move to Manchester City or Paris St-Germain has been rumored for a long time. He would be reunited once again with former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola.America's Major League Soccer is an alternative option, as Messi previously thought about it.Messi's announcement of his intention to leave comes one year after he sent a message to Barcelona bosses requesting to use a clause in the contract that would have allowed him free travel last summer.He said he would remain, admitting that it was impossible for any team to pay the 700m euro (624m), release clause which Barca insists must be fulfilled.End of an EraAt 13 years old, Messi moved to Barca's La Masia academy from Newell's Old Boys in Argentina. He made his senior debut at 16 in 2004.He made 778 appearances for the club and scored 672 goals. This includes a record 474 La Liga goals as well as 120 Champions League goals.On six occasions, he has won the European Golden Shoe Award for continent's top scorer.Transfer timeline for Lionel Messi25 August 2020 – Messi sends an email to the club requesting that he exercise a clause of his contract. This allows him to immediately leave without any fees.4 September 2020 - Messi claims he will stay at Barcelona as it is impossible for any team pay his 700m Euro (624m) release clause. The club insists that this would have to be fulfilled.27 October 2020 – Josep Maria Bartomeu (Barcelona president), resigns after he had a falling out with Messi over the failed transfer request.28 December 2020 - Messi said he hopes to play in the United States one day, but is uncertain about his future after his contract expires.31 January 2021: Barcelona says they will pursue "appropriate legal actions" against El Mundo, a Spanish newspaper that published details about Messi's contract worth 492m over four-years.16 May 2021 – Manager Ronald Koeman said he hoped Messi would not play his last home match for the club following a defeat by Celta Vigo of 2-1. This ended their title hopes, and saw them finish outside the top two for first time since 2007.22 May 2021: Paris St-Germain is believed to be "looking closely” at Messi's contract situation.28 May 2021: Barcelona President Joan Laporta states that a new contract is not yet in place for Lionel Messi, but that things are moving well.1. July 2021: Messi's Barcelona contract ends and he is free to act as his own agent.15 July 2021: Messi agrees that he will stay with Barca in a deal that includes reducing his wage until 2026.5 August 2021: Barcelona announces that Lionel Messi will be leaving the club due to financial and structural difficulties
