Lionel Messi and Barcelona: Contract Impasse Leads to Departure
Despite reaching an agreement with Barcelona and expressing the intention to sign a new contract, financial and structural obstacles have made this impossible, as stated in a statement on Barcelona's website.
The 34-year-old, who recently won his first Copa America title with Argentina, had previously mentioned in 2020 that he wanted to take a year off and also claimed that a clause in his contract allowed him to do so for free. However, Messi ultimately had to remain, as Barcelona disagreed and was unwilling to reduce his €700 million (¥897 billion) buyout clause.
Messi expressed no intention to challenge the club's decision in court or drag out the legal proceedings.
Messi's current contract ended in June, and it was revealed by Spanish news outlet 'El Mundo' that his contract was worth ¥672 billion, making him the highest-paid athlete in sports history.
Barcelona's statement reads further, "Both parties deeply regret that the player's and the club's wishes could not be fully realized." The club expressed gratitude towards Messi's contributions to the growth of the team and wish him success in his future professional and personal endeavors.
Messi made his debut for Barcelona in 2004 and went on to win ten La Liga titles and four Champions League titles with the Catalan club. In April, he led Barcelona to a 4-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final, clinching his 35th trophy with the club.
Messi's show-stopping performance marked the team's first trophy since 2019. Post-match, he said, "It's a special feeling to be captain of this team I've spent my entire life with. It's a special feeling to raise the cup high."
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In the aftermath of his Copa America triumph with Argentina and a successful season with Barcelona, Lionel Messi has been touted as the next potential sign for the NFL. While Messi had once dismissed NFL as a nonsensical sport, the challenge and atmosphere in the NFL could sway his decision.
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Messi's potential move to the NFL remains speculative with no concrete developments as of now. Messi is currently dedicated to his career with Major League Soccer (MLS) club Inter Miami and has not announced any plans to join the NFL.
Recent instances suggest that Messi has been focusing on his performances for Inter Miami, including a crucial goal in the Concacaf Champions Cup. Despite rumors of his possible return to Barcelona, there is no evidence of him pursuing an NFL career.
Messi's NFL prospects were once dismissed due to his affection for the traditional football format, but recent interest in the NFL atmosphere and challenges have sparked intrigue.
However, it seems highly unlikely for Messi to depart for the NFL given his dedication to MLS and ongoing commitment to his current club.
