Why Did Lionel Messi Leave FC Barcelona? (The Full Story)

Lionel Messi Leaves Barcelona: The End of an Era

Lionel Messi, widely considered to be one of the greatest footballers of all time, has left Barcelona after 21 years. The news sent shockwaves around the world, as Messi had been synonymous with the club for his entire career.

There are many reasons why Messi left Barcelona, but the most important one is that the club could no longer afford to pay him. Messi’s salary was astronomical, and Barcelona was struggling financially. The club was forced to sell some of its best players in order to balance the books, and Messi was simply too expensive to keep.

Messi’s departure is a huge loss for Barcelona. He was the club’s talisman, and he had led them to countless trophies. But it is also a sign of the times. The financial realities of football have changed, and clubs can no longer afford to pay the kind of salaries that Messi was demanding.

Messi’s departure is a sad day for Barcelona, but it is also a reminder that nothing lasts forever. Even the greatest players eventually move on.

| Reason | Explanation | Source |
|—|—|—|
| Financial issues | Barcelona was struggling financially and could no longer afford to pay Messi’s high salary. | [ESPN](https://www.espn.com/soccer/barcelona/story/4444657/lionel-messi-leaves-barcelona-after-financial-issues-force-club-to-let-him-go) |
| Contract dispute | Messi and Barcelona were unable to agree on a new contract, which led to his departure. | [BBC](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/58261573) |
| Personal reasons | Messi wanted to start a new chapter in his career and felt that he could no longer achieve his goals at Barcelona. | [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/aug/05/lionel-messi-barcelona-psg-statement) |

Messi’s contract dispute with Barcelona

Lionel Messi’s contract with Barcelona expired on June 30, 2021, and he was free to sign with any club. However, the two parties were unable to reach an agreement on a new contract, and Messi eventually joined Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer.

The contract dispute between Messi and Barcelona was a complex one, with a number of factors involved. Here are some of the key issues that were at stake:

• Salary: Messi was one of the highest-paid players in the world, and Barcelona was reluctant to offer him a new contract that would have made him even more expensive.
• Length of contract: Messi wanted a long-term contract, but Barcelona was only willing to offer him a shorter deal.
• Release clause: Messi had a 700 million release clause in his contract, which Barcelona was unwilling to waive.
• Other factors: The contract dispute was also influenced by the club’s financial situation, Messi’s relationship with the board of directors, and the club’s desire to rebuild its team.

In the end, Barcelona and Messi were unable to reach an agreement on a new contract, and Messi left the club after 21 years.

The role of Bartomeu and the board of directors in Messi’s departure

The contract dispute between Messi and Barcelona was widely seen as a failure on the part of the club’s board of directors, led by Josep Maria Bartomeu. Bartomeu was elected president of Barcelona in 2014, and he oversaw a period of great success for the club. However, the club’s financial situation deteriorated under Bartomeu’s leadership, and he became increasingly unpopular with the fans.

One of the main reasons for the club’s financial problems was the signing of Neymar in 2017. Neymar cost Barcelona 222 million, and his wages were a significant burden on the club’s finances. The club’s financial problems were further compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a significant drop in revenue.

Bartomeu was also criticized for his handling of the contract dispute with Messi. He was accused of being too inflexible in his negotiations with Messi, and of not doing enough to keep the player at the club.

In the end, Bartomeu’s failure to resolve the contract dispute with Messi led to his resignation as president of Barcelona in October 2020.

Lionel Messi’s departure from Barcelona was a major event in the world of football. It was a sign of the club’s financial problems, and it also highlighted the growing divide between the club’s board of directors and its fans. Messi’s departure will be a challenge for Barcelona, but it also presents an opportunity for the club to rebuild and create a new team for the future.

3. The impact of Messi’s departure on Barcelona

Lionel Messi’s departure from Barcelona has had a profound impact on the club. On the pitch, Barcelona have struggled to replace Messi’s goals and creativity, and they have failed to win a major trophy since his departure. Off the pitch, Barcelona have also suffered, with the club’s finances in disarray and their reputation tarnished.

On the pitch, Barcelona have struggled to find their rhythm without Messi. The club has scored fewer goals and created fewer chances since his departure, and they have finished outside the top four in La Liga for the first time in 14 years. Barcelona have also been eliminated from the Champions League in the round of 16 in each of the two seasons since Messi’s departure.

Off the pitch, Barcelona’s finances have been hit hard by Messi’s departure. The club was already in a precarious financial situation before Messi’s departure, and his massive salary was a major contributing factor. Barcelona were unable to afford to renew Messi’s contract, and they were forced to sell a number of key players in order to balance the books. The club’s debt has also increased significantly since Messi’s departure, and they are now facing a major financial crisis.

The reputation of Barcelona has also been tarnished by Messi’s departure. The club was once seen as a model of success, both on and off the pitch. However, the club’s financial problems and their inability to replace Messi have led to a decline in their reputation. Barcelona are now seen as a club that is in decline, and they are no longer considered to be one of the top clubs in the world.

The impact of Messi’s departure on Barcelona is likely to be felt for many years to come. The club will struggle to replace his goals and creativity on the pitch, and their financial problems and tarnished reputation will make it difficult to attract top players in the future. Barcelona are now a shadow of their former selves, and it is hard to see how they will ever return to their former glory.

4. The future of Messi and Barcelona

The future of Lionel Messi and Barcelona is uncertain. Messi has said that he would like to return to Barcelona one day, but it is unclear if the club will be able to afford him. Barcelona are currently in a financial crisis, and they would be unable to offer Messi the same salary that he was earning before his departure.

Messi could also choose to join another club. He has been linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, and Inter Milan. However, it is unclear if any of these clubs would be able to afford Messi’s salary.

It is also possible that Messi could retire from football. He is currently 34 years old, and he has already won everything there is to win in the game. Messi may decide that it is time to step away from the game and focus on other things.

Whatever the future holds for Messi and Barcelona, it is clear that their relationship is over. Messi is no longer a Barcelona player, and the club is no longer the same without him. The two parties have parted ways, and it is unlikely that they will ever be together again.

there are many reasons why Lionel Messi left Barcelona. Some of the key reasons include:

• The club’s financial situation: Barcelona was in a lot of debt, and Messi’s salary was a major part of that debt. The club was unable to afford to keep paying Messi the same salary that he was making, and they knew that they would have to let him go eventually.
• The club’s sporting situation: Barcelona had not been very successful in recent years. They had not won the Champions League since 2015, and they had not won La Liga since 2018. Messi felt that the club was not doing enough to improve, and he wanted to leave in order to find a club that was more ambitious.
• Messi’s relationship with the club: Messi had been at Barcelona for his entire career, and he had become very close to the club and the fans. However, his relationship with the club had soured in recent years. He felt that the club had not been loyal to him, and he was unhappy with the way that they had treated him.

All of these factors contributed to Messi’s decision to leave Barcelona. It was a difficult decision for him, but he felt that it was the best thing for him to do. He is now at a new club, and he is looking forward to a new chapter in his career.