Lionel Messi is leaving FC Barcelona

#Messi to leave #Barcelona due to 'financial obstacles' - club statement.

Argentina striker #LionelMessi will leave Barcelona despite both parties having reached an agreement over a new contract, the #LaLiga club said on Thursday, citing economic and structural obstacles to the renewal of deal.

Messi was free to negotiate a transfer with other clubs after his deal ran out at the end of June, but Barcelona had always maintained he wanted to stay with the club.

The 34-year-old, who has spent his whole career at Barcelona, had been expected to sign a new five-year deal with the #Catalan #club, which would have included a salary reduction of 50%.

Barcelona needed to financially restructure in order to get the deal over the line, which proved impossible in the end.

#messileave #messileaving #fcbarcelona