Lionel Messi does not sign a new contract with FC Barcelona and leaves the club after 21 years. How did the separation come about?
The day after Lionel Messi’s departure from FC Barcelona became known, Spanish and Argentine media reports reveal details of the course of the crucial round of talks.
According to the Spanish newspaper Sport Messi was determined to sign the new contract with Barca, which, according to information from Goal and SPOX would have tied to the Catalans until 2026. The 34-year-old Argentinian was actually planning to end his career at Barca.
Messi wanted to get back into training after his vacation ended on Friday and, like father and advisor Jorge, assumed that the meeting with those responsible on Thursday should only clarify when and in what form his contract extension would be made public.
Barca: Lionel Messi probably wanted to forego even more salary
After President Joan Laporta informed the Messi side, who was completely surprised by the news, of Barca’s decision not to renew the contract, the six-time world footballer is said to be, according to the Argentine newspaper Be even offered to forego even larger parts of his salary. According to the report, Laporta didn’t even want to take a little time to think about it, and immediately declined.
Messi was shocked by Barca’s announcement and therefore did not want to comment publicly on his departure. Negotiations with other clubs have not yet taken place.
Although Messi let his old contract expire on June 30th, it was considered certain to the last that he would continue his career at Camp Nou. Especially since he also played an important role in the commitment of his compatriot and close friend Sergio Aguero.
Messi, who was on the verge of leaving in the summer of 2020, moved from his home in Argentina to Barcelona’s offspring in 2000 at the age of 13. The newly crowned Copa America winner played 778 competitive games for Blaugrana, scoring 672 goals. With Barca, Messi has won the Champions League four times and the Spanish championship ten times.
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
