As of Thursday night (5/8) after 778 games with her jersey, after 672 goals, after 305 assists and after 35 trophies, Lionel Messi officially left Barcelona.
In a historic announcement, the Catalan club initially stated that there was an agreement with the Argentine ace to renew his contract, but this did not work out for financial and other reasons.
"Despite the fact that Barcelona and Messi had reached an initial agreement and the clear desire of both sides to sign a new contract today, this was not possible, due to the strict financial regulations set by La Liga.
As a result of this situation, Messi can not stay in Barcelona. Both sides feel sad that the continuation of their cooperation did not succeed. "Barcelona cordially expresses its gratitude to Messi for his unwavering contribution to growing as a club and wishes him all the best for his future on a personal and professional level."
In fact, the formalization of the end of the era of the legendary leader of the Catalans, was the expected outcome of a pre-announced divorce.
Despite the fact that recently the Spanish media reported that the two sides are approaching an agreement, it seems that the gap between them was bridged. As early as August 2020, after the broadcast from Bayern, Messi had informed by fax the former president of the team, Josep Maria Bertomeu, that he wants to leave Barcelona.
The Argentine ace was not satisfied either with the administration, or with the coach or with the team that the "blaugrana" had made until then. With the succession of Juan Laporta in the presidency, however, both his emotional attachment to the team and the release clause kept him at the "Camp Nou" and everything showed that a compromise solution would be found.
The reasons that led to the final collapse of the agreement
The competitive team
Lionel Messi's telegram to the team leaders was clear. Strengthening Barcelona with transfers of first-class players in order to create a competitive team that can claim European titles. In fact, Leo allegedly asked for the acquisition of his teammate in the Argentine national team, Christian Romero, whom Barça had tried to acquire on loan.
The financial reasons
The financial hardship of the club that resulted in the salary reduction from the Spanish league, the lack of a clear and targeted plan, the reduction of Messi's salary and the unbearable debts of the club after the catastrophic failure of the European Super League, are clearly included in the frame. .
In fact, the president of Barcelona is expected to give a press conference on Friday morning (6/8), in order to make known his own answers on the issue.
According to a report by the Catalan Sport, however, the reasons that led to the final rupture concern the refusal of the club to conclude the loan of 2,7 million that La Liga agreed with CVC, as if they signed the specific deal, they would be committed for the next 40 years. in La Liga, as a result of which they can not participate in the European Super League.
Therefore, when this information was communicated to Leo's father and manager at today's meeting, the forthcoming agreement was ruined.
Messi himself, for his part, according to the Spanish media, appears upset with the treatment of the club, as well as the development of the whole case, while he is not willing to make any public statement.
The suitors who claim him
Paris Saint-Germain of the glittering Arabs, eager to win the Champions League trophy by collecting stars on its roster, clearly qualifies as the favorite to acquire it, as it could easily cover the exorbitant amount of such a contract. After all, the club of Paris, after the signing of Sergio Ramos, confirmed that when it sets a goal, nothing can stop it.
In fact, yesterday's viral post of Neymar hugging Lionel Messi seems to photograph (?) The future of his ex-boyfriend. Specifically, in it she hugs Lionel Messi who poses with half of Paris Saint-Germain (Di Maria, Paredes, Verratti), while writing the word: "Friends" in the caption.
While as if this fire that the Brazilian ace lit was not enough, he gave new food to the rumors and with a like in a TNT Sports photo that shows him hugging Messi and both of them wearing the Paris jersey!
Going to the Island and Manchester City, who on Thursday night completed the transfer of Grillis for 100 million euros, there the strong card of the club for the acquisition of the Argentine superstar is none other than his favorite Pep Guardiola, with whom it also nurtures a relationship of mutual trust and respect.
As for the Premier League, of course, other teams from the Big-5 are not excluded, such as Chelsea and Manchester United, who seem willing to shake the transfer bank in the summer.
Finally, the rumors of his return to Newell's Old Boys or his move to Napoli are considered as outsiders, as a continuation of Maradona's tradition.
Source: Protothema.gr