Barcelona says Messi will not stay with the club

Legendary footballer Lionel Messi will leave Barcelona despite both parties having reached an agreement, the football club said on Thursday. (AFP)
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  • Lionel Messi will not stay with Barcelona after Spanish league financial regulations made it impossible to reach a deal
  • "Both parties deeply regret that the wishes of the player and the club will ultimately not be fulfilled,鈥� stated Barcelona

BARCELONA, Spain: Barcelona said Thursday that Lionel Messi will not stay with the club after Spanish league financial regulations made it impossible for a deal to be reached between the club and the player.
Barcelona said in a statement that a deal for a new contract had been reached but financial 鈥渙bstacles鈥� made it impossible for the player to remain with the club.
鈥淒espite club and player reaching an agreement and their clear intention to sign a new contract today, this cannot happen because of financial and structural obstacles,鈥� the club said.
It blamed 鈥淪panish league regulations鈥� for not allowing the club to sign a new contract with the player. His previous one had ended on June 30.
鈥淎s a result of this situation, Messi shall not be staying on at FC Barcelona,鈥� it said. 鈥淏oth parties deeply regret that the wishes of the player and the club will ultimately not be fulfilled.
鈥淔C Barcelona wholeheartedly expresses its gratitude to the player for his contribution to the aggrandizement of the club and wishes him all the very best for the future in his personal and professional life,鈥� the statement said.