Barca revealed that Messi would leave the club after more than two decades, unable to register his new contract because of La Liga’s financial fair play rules.
It brought an end to a Barcelona career that produced 672 goals and 305 assists in 778 appearances, along with 35 trophies, including ten La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues.
The exit had little to do with Messi’s willingness to stay. He had agreed to a new five-year deal that included a 50 per cent wage cut, but Barcelona’s spending limit had collapsed from €671 million before the pandemic to under €100 million, against debts exceeding €1 billion.
Even with the reduced terms and a string of player sales, the club simply couldn’t bring their wage bill within La Liga’s cap in time to register him.
Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain days later on a free transfer. His time in France was comparatively modest by his own standards, 32 goals in two seasons, but still delivered two Ligue 1 titles and a Trophée des Champions before he left for Inter Miami in 2023.
Barcelona’s financial disarray cost them the greatest player in their history. Five years on, the club is still working to recover from the crisis that forced his hand.
Photo: REUTERS/Albert Gea
