Will Lionel Messi ACTUALLY leave Barcelona? | ticker VIEWS

It’s the end of an era

After 778 club appearances, 672 goals, 10 domestic League titles, seven Copa del Rey titles, four Champions League victories and three Club World Cups, Argentine superstar Lionel Messi will no longer be associated with Barcelona, the side that has made him a household name over the past 21 years.

The 34-year-old was in talks to re-sign with the Catalan club, and had even agreed terms to 2026 with a 50% wage cut, but some technicalities have arisen.

TECHNICALITIES?

LaLiga, the governing body that oversees the Spanish domestic competition, has mandated that Barcelona’s wage bill, fall in line with financial fair play rules for the coming season.

Wage caps in the League are calculated based on a club’s financial health and they must adhere to their cap in order to avoid future financial penalties.

The cost of the COVID-19 pandemic has severely reduced Barca’s budget for the new campaign and the numbers – simply – do not add up.

Messi can’t be registered until the new proposed wage structure.

And with a number of other high earners the Blaugrana need to also put pen to paper, could Barcelona contemplate selling the likes of Philippe Coutinho, Ousmane Dembele and Antoine Griezmann to accommodate Messi?

It was thought a €2.7 billion investment in LaLiga from private equity firm CVC Capital Partners would help Barcelona overcome their difficulties, but the rejected injection has not proven enough to enable the club to hold onto the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Why is it being opposed, you ask?

Barcelona don’t want to give up future revenue to the company.

The deal has been unanimously approved by LaLiga’s executive board, and clubs will get a chance to vote on it. However, clubs in LaLiga and Segunda do not need Real and Barca’s approval for the deal to be voted in.

It also musn’t be forgotten that LaLiga itself does not want to lose its last remaining jewel in the crown, after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Serie A side Juventus several seasons ago.

WHERE COULD HE GO?

The line, you would think, would be out the door for the biggest name in world football, but his wages and financial fair play regulations, mean only a handful of elite European clubs could actually afford to accommodate him.

French giants Paris Saint-Germain are seemingly the first option to acquire his services, meaning a reunion with former teammate Neymar. But reigning English Premier League champions Manchester City could also pose a destination for him, and a working relationship alongside former boss Pep Guardiola.

A trip across the Atlantic to either North or South America has not been ruled out, as the Argentine has previously admitted to wanting to play in the MLS.

And there is also the possibility of returning to his boyhood club, Newell’s Old Boys, tying his career up in a pretty ribbon.

All we know, is that the situation at Barcelona involving Lionel, has gotten, Messi.