Football transfer news: Arguably the greatest player in the history of FC Barcelona, Lionel Messi has officially left the club. An official statement issued by F.C Barcelona confirms that despite having reached an agreement and the clear intention of both parties to sign a new contract, Spanish La Liga regulations on player registration have made it impossible for the agreement to go through.

All this fiasco started after the end of the 2019/20 season when Leo Messi put in a transfer request. Messi's contract had a clause allowing him to leave the club at the end of the season free of cost. The Barcelona board stated that by the time the Argentinian sent the official request, the date of the clause had already expired. Barcelona also said that the only way Messi will leave is if any club pays his £750 million release clause. Messi publicly expressed his displeasure and criticized the board for how they went about their business.

Messi ended up staying for the season because he didn't want to take his boyhood club to court. Messi helped FC Barcelona win the Copa Del Rey in a season where he scored 38 goals and assisted another 14. When president Josep Maria Bartomeu was replaced by Joan Laporta, Messi's contract renewal was made the number one priority and looked imminent.

Laporta has always been confident about Messi signing a new contract with F.C Barcelona, but the La Liga rules have made it impossible for the renewal to take place. The rule was introduced in 2013 which forces Spanish clubs to have a salary cap for all teams which limits player wages and acquisition costs to 70 percent of club revenues. FC Barcelona like all other clubs lost a lot of money during the pandemic which has ultimately led to their downfall. The addition of new signings Memphis Depay and Sergio Aguero has only made matters more complicated.

Messi leaves behind a huge legacy at the club. FC Barcelona took a gamble by financing the relocation of the entire family of a 13-year-old Messi who came through the ranks and conquered the football world with the Blaugrana. The Argentine icon has won a total of 34 major trophies in addition to many individual accolades including a record 7 Ballon D'ors.

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