Lionel Messi becomes a free agent for the first time since he joined FC Barcelona
Lionel Messi will become a free agent if he doesn’t renew his contract which is set to expire in June 30. It has since been reported that the Argentina International has agreed to remain at the club until 2023 and an announcement has only been delayed due to final details on certain contract clauses. Messi will be technically able to negotiate will other clubs from tomorrow if he doesn’t renew his contract with the Catalans. June 30 will be the last day as a Barcelona player in the life of Lionel Messi.
The six-time Ballon d’Or winner became the best-paid player in La Liga history when he signed a fresh four-year agreement with Barca worth €555m but it has been reported that the club can no longer match his salary demands amid a worrying financial crisis.
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The Lionel Messi Saga
Earlier, Lionel Messi wanted to leave Barcelona at the end of 2019-20 season but his request was turned down and he stayed at Camp Nou for another season.
Laporta said this month that Messi, who tried to leave the club last year after falling out with previous chief Josep Maria Bartomeu, was keen to stay but also urged his captain to sign as soon as possible.
“I’d like Messi to tell us yes as soon as he can, that would help us in many ways,” he told newspaper La Vanguardia.
“We’re in constant communication, he is hopeful and I’m grateful to him for showing a willingness to stay.”
The Barcelona president also added that: “Aguero is helping. He is telling him every day to stay,” Laporta said earlier this month. “He is excited and I am grateful to him for the desire he is showing to stay.”
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Manchester City, Inter and Paris Saint-Germain were the three clubs most strongly linked with the playmaker last summer, and it has been reported that they are still keeping a close eye on his situation.
Lionel Messi’s contract of £500,000 per week has also been an issue for Barcelona, especially since the Blaugrana club is supposed to lose £172m from its overall wage bill. With the Covid-19 pandemic reducing the club’s revenues, it was also reported that the board members had told Messi that they won’t be able to afford a similar salary anymore.
Barcelona have already signed the likes of Sergio Aguero, Memphis Depay and Eric Garcia on free transfers. Laporta has also promised three or four more signings before the end of the summer transfer window.
Messi’s records at FC Barcelona
At age 13 Lionel Messi and his family relocated to Barcelona, and he began playing for FC Barcelona’s under-14 team. He scored 21 goals in 14 games for the junior team, and he quickly graduated through the higher-level teams until at age 16 he was given his informal debut with FC Barcelona in a friendly match.
Lionel Messi has been a legend at the club winning The UEFA Champions League(x4), Spanish Champion(x10), Spanish Cup Winner(x7). In 2019 he won the FIFA best men’s player of the year. He has won the Ballon d’or 6 times in his career. He has won the title of UEFA best player in Europe thrice. The 34-year-old has scored a total of 672 goals & 305 assists in 778 games for the club.
The Argentine is on national duty currently for Copa America 2021. Argentina have reached the quarter finals of the tournament and are set to face Ecuador on July 04.
