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Tag: Messi

  • Tearful Messi confirms departure from Barca, says not ready for it

    Tearful Messi confirms departure from Barca, says not ready for it

    Lionel Messi was in tears on Sunday as he confirmed his departure from Spanish side FC Barcelona after 21 years with the club.

    Messi was set to sign a new deal with Barca, but is now heading for pastures new —- possibly Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

    This was after the Catalan giants could not afford to fulfil the contract they had agreed.

    The 34-year-old took to the stage for a news conference on Sunday, in front of the media, his family, Barca teammates and club officials.

    He was emotional before he even made an opening statement, as he revealed he had never imagined a moment when he would have to leave Camp Nou.

    “These recent days I’ve been giving lots of thought to what I could say, and the truth is that I can’t think of anything,” said Messi, who subsequently let the tears flow as he received a standing ovation.

    “This is really difficult for me after so many years, being here my entire life.

    “I’m not ready for this and honestly last year, with all the nonsense with the burofax, I was convinced I knew what I wanted to say. But this year is not the same.

    “My family and I were convinced I wanted to stay here, that’s what we all wanted more than anything. We thought we’d be staying here in Barcelona, (but) today I have to say goodbye to all of this.

    “We’ve always made this our home, we’re at home and we thought we’d be staying here in Barcelona.

    “The time we’ve had here in the city and the sport has been amazing, but today I have to say goodbye to all of this.”

  • Difficult to understand Messi has left – Koeman

    Difficult to understand Messi has left – Koeman

    Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman is sorry seeing Lionel Messi leave.

    Koeman has spoken publicly about Messi’s departure. Taking to social media, he posted a thoughtful message alongside a couple of photos of the two together.

    The full message is as follows:

    “Still hard to understand that you will not play for FC Barcelona any more. Thanks for everything you have done for our club, Leo. I really enjoyed the full season we worked together. I am impressed with your work ethic and desire to win. It makes you the best player in the world. For now, I wish you and your family the best”.

  • Messi holds news conference at Camp Nou on Sunday

    Messi holds news conference at Camp Nou on Sunday

    Lionel Messi will appear at a news conference at Camp Nou on Sunday, FC Barcelona announced on Saturday

    The Argentine forward is widely expected to join French side Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the coming days after FC Barcelona said they could not afford to retain him.

    That means the 34-year-old Messi is likely to share his perspective of the departure that has stunned world football.

    His contact expired at the end of June and both parties had agreed fresh terms, only for FC Barcelona to announce the bombshell news on Thursday.

    The Spanish club said they could not proceed due to “financial and structural obstacles”.

    The club’s all-time record scorer, who has made more appearances for FC Barcelona than any other player, recently won the Copa America with Argentina.

    He landed the Copa del Rey with FC Barcelona last season, adding to an array of trophies.

    During his time at FC Barcelona, the only club of his professional career, Messi has helped the team win 10 LaLiga titles and four UEFA Champions Leagues.

    Also, He has been awarded the Ballon d’Or a record six times.

    FC Barcelona said Messi would address the media in the Auditori 1899, a large function room at the stadium, at 12:00 local time (1000 GMT) on Sunday.

    The club added: “On Thursday, it was announced that the Argentine star would not be staying at FC Barcelona, where he has set club records for appearances, goals and official titles.”

    There has been no indication of a change in FC Barcelona’s stance, with seemingly little prospect of a U-turn.

    FC Barcelona’s announcement of Messi’s departure stated it was a move that “both parties deeply regret”.

    The club cited “Spanish LaLiga regulations on player registration” as preventing them from handing him a new contract.

    Like many clubs, FC Barcelona have been hit hard financially by the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Heavy spending on players in recent seasons has largely not paid off, with Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid winning the most recent two LaLiga titles.

    What Messi has to say about the recent chain of events is keenly awaited.

    FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta said on Friday: “There was a moment when La Liga insinuated to us that the proposed contract could suffice.

    ”But, after a technical analysis by its financial commission, they then informed us that wouldn’t fully suffice either.”

  • Roman Abramovich seeks face-to-face meeting with Messi

    Roman Abramovich seeks face-to-face meeting with Messi

    Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has jumped into the race for released Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi.

    Messi was cut loose by Barcelona on Thursday in a stunning decision.

    AS says Chelsea are now well in the race to sign Messi.

    The report states the Blues are keen to continue their pursuit of £100m-rated Romelu Lukaku as well as a move for the Argentine.

    Messi is expected to command wages of at least £500,000 a week, having been on over £1m at the Nou Camp before his proposed wage cut.

    But Chelsea owner Abramovich is claimed to be wanting to arrange a meeting with Messi’s team sooner rather than later.

    The Russian billionaire knows he faces a huge ask to beat PSG to the punch, though.

    PSG had been in for Messi last year after it became clear the Nou Camp icon wanted to leave.

  • What I told players about Messi exit – Laporta

    What I told players about Messi exit – Laporta

    Barcelona president Joan Laporta has explained how he broke the news of Lionel Messi’s departure to the players.

    It was announced last night that Messi was leaving Barca after the collapse of contract talks.

    Laporta said: “Yesterday (Thursday) I spoke on the phone with the captains. This is a very important fact in the history of Barça. I told the players that a new stage is starting in Barca’s history and that we have to keep winning without Messi.

    “We have tried to make decisions in a fair way. I saw the faces of the players and I asked the captains to do the best. There is a very strong group. The captains must lead this new stage, welcoming young players who show great talent.

    “The squad have a strange feeling, a certain sadness, but they are professionals and they have the opportunity to show their talent to help Barça win.

    “We are going to ask for a lot of involvement. We will give everything to succeed.”

  • Barca president speaks on Messi departure

    Barca president speaks on Messi departure

    Barcelona president Joan Laporta has been explaining why a new contract cannot be agreed with Lionel Messi, with an all-time great preparing to sever ties with the only club side that he has represented in an iconic career.

    Laporta told a press conference: “Leo wanted to stay at Barca. We wanted him to stay.

    “I want to thank everyone that has been in the negotiations. There were lots of aspects that needed to be negotiated.

    “He is the best player in the world and has other offers, of course.

    “After all of this process, there comes a moment where you have to say ‘enough’. You have to analyse it and look at the numbers.

    “In La Liga we have to abide by the rules. We think they could be more flexible, but that is not an excuse. We couldn’t abide by it.

    “Leo deserves everything. He has proven that he loves Barca. He has his roots in Barcelona. I’m sad but I’m convinced we have done the best for the interests of Barcelona.”

    Laporta added: “Leo’s legacy is excellent, he has made history. He is the player with the most success in the history of the club. I hope we can overcome this situation.

    “A new era starts now. There will be before and after Leo, as there was with other great players in the history of Barca.”

  • Messi stunned as Barca chose not to renew contract

    Messi stunned as Barca chose not to renew contract

    Lionel Messi’s camp are insisting Barcelona chose not to extend his contract.

    Sport says Messi did not expect negotiations to sign a new contract with Barcelona to have an unhappy ending.

    The forward is devastated at Barça’s announcement on Thursday that he will leave the club after 21 years at Camp Nou.

    Barça said they had an agreement with Messi over a new deal but that La Liga’s financial rules made it impossible to register him for the new season.

    On Thursday he received the confirmation that it would not be possible and that was reflected in his mood.

    Sources insist the Argentina international was deeply distressed to find out Barça would be making the announcement.

  • Barca blame Messi demands for contract collapse

    Barca blame Messi demands for contract collapse

    There’s suggestions Lionel Messi’s demand to have a bigger say on transfers contributed to his contract breakdown with Barcelona.

    Marca says it looked as if Messi was due to have his contract renewal with Barcelona made official, but now there are a number of factors which see the No.10 have more than one foot outside the Camp Nou.

    One of those requirements was to have Argentina teammate Cristian Romero join him at Barcelona, as Messi felt that the defender’s signing would be a key move in strengthening the Barcelona squad and would also keep the team competitive throughout the 2021/22 season.

    But Tottenham Hotspur have been quicker off the mark than Barcelona, and the Premier League side have practically closed the deal to bring Romero to England from Serie A side Atalanta.

    As a result, that disagreement in transfer priorities has been a factor in the Messi being further away from signing a deal with Barcelona.

  • BREAKING: Lionel Messi leaves FC Barcelona

    BREAKING: Lionel Messi leaves FC Barcelona

    La Liga giant FC Barcelona say Lionel Messi will not be staying at the club “because of financial and structural obstacles”.

    Messi, 34, has been a free agent since 1 July when his contract expired.

    He agreed a new deal on reduced wages with club two weeks later, but it was dependent on Barca selling players to afford his salary.

    “Both parties deeply regret that the wishes of the player and the club will ultimately not be fulfilled,” the club said.

    Barcelona said Messi was poised to extend his 21-year career with the club by signing the deal on Thursday, and blame La Liga for the failure to do so.

    “Despite FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi having reached an agreement and the clear intention of both parties to sign a new contract today, this cannot happen because of financial and structural obstacles [Spanish La Liga regulations],” the club said.

    “FC Barcelona wholeheartedly expresses its gratitude to the player for his contribution to the aggrandisement of the club and wishes him all the very best for the future in his personal and professional life.”

  • La Liga blocks Messi contract renewal at Barca

    La Liga blocks Messi contract renewal at Barca

    Barcelona are still unable to secure Lionel Messi’s future with a new deal, because of LaLiga’s refusal to make any concession, the UK Mirror reports.

    After being found guilty of operating significantly over the league’s wage rulings, Barca were punished.

    This means they were not allowed to register new signings, except they cut down their wage bill.

    Messi’s previous contract expired at the end of June, but he is ready to extend his 21-year stay.

    However, LaLiga slapped Barca with the wage-related punishment in the period between the expiration of Messi’s previous contract and before he had the chance to sign a new one.

    As a result, just like the new signings, Messi has been unable to be registered as a Barca player, with the new Spanish season now under two weeks away.

    Barcelona president, Joan Laporta, has pleaded with LaLiga officials, claiming: “We want more flexibility from the league to be able to include more signings.

    “The negotiations with Messi are well underway, but we are fixing several issues on both sides.”

    If recent reports are to be believed, Barcelona could have yet another issue to deal with, as La Liga are rumoured to be investigating whether the money they have cleared from their wage bill thus far has been done in a fair and legitimate manner.