The Argentine superstar is leaving FC Barcelona as the player with the most goals, the most appearances, the most titles and a host of other incredible records too.
Soccer master Lionel Messi will not sign a new contract with FC Barcelona because of Spanish LaLiga regulations on player registration, the club has confirmed.
Lionel Messi will leave Barcelona despite both parties having reached an agreement over a new contract, FC Barcelona said on Thursday.
The Argentine star’s latest deal expired this summer but he was expected to commit to a new contract ahead of the new season.
FC Barcelona released a statement on Thursday and confirmed that talks have broken down and Messi will leave.
A statement on the club’s website read:
“Despite FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi has reached an agreement and the clear intention of both parties to sign a new contract today, this cannot happen because of Spanish LaLiga regulations on player registration.
As a result of this situation, Messi shall not be staying on at FC Barcelona. Both parties deeply regret that the wishes of the player and the club will ultimately not be fulfilled.
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.”
LEO MESSI’S WORLD RECORDS
• The only player in history to win the Ballon d’Or, FIFA World Player, Pichichi Trophy and Golden Boot in the same season. It happened in the 2009/10 season.
• Player with the most Ballons d’Or. He has won six. They came in the years 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2019
• Youngest player to win three Ballons d’Or. He was 24 years, 6 months and 17 days old when he won the third on January 9, 2012.
• Player with the most Golden Shoes. Has won six. They came in the 2009-10, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons.
• Top scorer in a season in official competitions. He scored 73 goals in 2011/12 (50 in the League, 14 in the Champions League, 3 in the Copa del Rey, 3 in the Spanish Super Cup, 1 in the European Super Cup and 2 in the Club World Cup)
• All-time top scorer in a calendar year. He scored 91 official goals in 2012. With Barça, 84 (59 in the League, 13 in the Champions League, 5 in the Copa del Rey and 2 in the Super Cup) and with the Argentine national team, 12. He also managed another 5 in friendlies with Barça, which would see the figure rise to a total of 96 goals
• Record of international goals in one year. He scored 25 goals in 2012 (13 in the Champions League and 12 with the Argentine national team), and shares the record with Vivian John Woodward, who scored 25 in 1909.
• Top scorer for the same club. As of May 27, he has 672 goals, surpassing the 643 that Pelé scored with Santos between 1956 and 1974
Source: FC Barcelona
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