Leo Messi is not staying at FC Barcelona
Despite the fact that both player and club reached an agreement, and they clearly intended to sign a new contract today (which was their intention), this could not happen due to financial and structural problems
PSG welcomes Lionel Messi to join fellow stars Neymar Mbappe and Kylian Mbappe
After leaving Barcelona, Lionel Messi signed a 2-year contract with Paris St-Germain.
The deal for the 34-year old also offers the possibility of a third year.
Barca was Messi's only club, and they couldn't afford to sign a new contract under La Liga's financial fair playing rules.
"I am eager to begin a new chapter in my career in Paris. "The club's vision and my ambitions are in perfect sync," stated the Argentina star.
"I know how talented our players and staff are. Together with them, I'm determined to create something amazing for the club, and the fans. I cannot wait to step on the Parc des Princes pitch."
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Nasser al-Khelaifi, president of PSG, said that he was delighted that Lionel Messi chose to join Paris St-Germain. He also stated that he and his family are happy to welcome him to Paris.
He did not conceal his desire to excel at the highest level of football and win trophies. The club's ambition is, of course, identical.
"The success and relevance of our recruitment is confirmed by Leo's addition to our elite team. Together with our coach and his staff I look forward seeing our team make history in the eyes of all our supporters.
LIONEL MESSI MEDICAL AT PSG
He is considered one of the greatest ever players, scoring a record 672 goals in 778 matches for Barca, which he joined when he was 13 years old.
The Catalan club has awarded the striker the Ballon d'Or six times, and 35 trophies.
After the signings of Spain's defender Sergio Ramos, Georginio Wijnaldum and Gianluigi Dariorumma, he becomes PSG’s fourth free-transfer signee.
Inter Milan also welcomed Achraf Hakimi, a highly rated right-back from Morocco.
Messi will be wearing the number 30 shirt and will play alongside two of the most expensive players ever - Neymar Mbappe and Kylian Mbappe.
On Wednesday, at 10:00 BST, a news conference by PSG will be held in the Parc des Princes auditorium.
Messi could make his PSG debut at Strasbourg home on Saturday
What made Messi leave Barca for?
Outside the Nou Camp, Lionel Messi's picture is taken.
Photos of Lionel Messi being taken down at Nou Camp
President Joan Laporta had made Messi's stay at the Nou Camp his top priority, but financial difficulties caused serious problems when trying to negotiate a new contract.
Although he was officially a free agent after his previous contract expired on July 1, it was widely expected that he would remain.
Barcelona however confirmed that Messi will be leaving the club due to "financial as well as structural obstacles".
He broke down at a press conference on Sunday, when he said he didn't want to leave Barcelona but that he had no choice.
Messi had previously agreed to a new deal, on 50% of his wages, to remain at Barcelona. However, the club couldn't afford to implement the agreement because they were far beyond the wage limit set by La Liga.
Guillem Balague, a BBC Sport columnist, said that he used to earn 140m Euros gross per year at Barca. That's about PS125m. Take off 40-50% tax.
"He accepted to stay at Barcelona by reducing the wages of 50%. This is illegal under Spanish law. The league would not believe that he was cutting his wages to zero. This is what Barcelona might have attempted to do since they are 1bn euro in debt. They simply cannot afford him.
This news sparked a rush for his services. Chelsea and Manchester City were among those linked to him, but PSG won the race to get the signature of the Argentine superstar, considered one of the greatest captures in football history.
Together with Neymar, Mauro Icardi, and his former Barca teammate Neymar, he will form a formidable-looking strike force.
Messi joins his international team-mates Angel di Maria (France) and Leandro Paredes (France), just three weeks after they helped Argentina win Copa America.
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Are Messi and the Champions League key?
Illustration of Paris St-Germain's 2020-21 starting lineup
PSG has yet to win the Champions League after a decade of Qatari ownership, heavy investment, and subsequent heavy losses. The 2020 final defeat against Bayern Munich was their closest attempt.
Mauricio Pochettino's team finished second to Lille in Ligue 1 this season.
Balague stated, "Clearly what PSG's owners want is a champion league final every year."
"With Messi, you have an advantage. Mauricio Pochettino's contract being renewed and Mauricio Pochettino in charge means that they know how to get it done. Messi will add to that.
They will win the league. That's almost a given, even though they lost last year. He will be fresh for the Champions League campaign because it will be less competitive.
Transfer timeline for Lionel Messi
25 August 2020 – Messi sends an email to the club requesting that he exercise a clause of his contract. This allows him to immediately leave without any fees.
4 September 2020 - Messi claims he will stay at Barcelona as it is impossible for any team pays his 700m Euro (PS624m), release clause. The club insists that this would have to be fulfilled.
27 October 2020 – Josep Maria Bartomeu (Barcelona president), resigns after he had a falling out with Messi over the failed transfer request.
28 December 2020 - Messi said he hopes to play in the United States one day, but is uncertain about his future after his contract expires.
31 January 2021: Barcelona says they will pursue "appropriate legal actions" against El Mundo, a Spanish newspaper that published details about Messi's contract. It is worth PS492m and covers four years.
16 May 2021 – Manager Ronald Koeman said he hoped Messi would not play his last home match for the club following a defeat by Celta Vigo of 2-1. This ended their title hopes and saw them finish outside the top two for the first time since 2007.
22 May 2021: Paris St-Germain is believed to be "looking closely” at Messi's contract situation.
28 May 2021: Barcelona President Joan Laporta states that a new contract is not yet in place for Lionel Messi, but that things are moving well.
1. July 2021: Messi's Barcelona contract ends and he is free to act as his own agent.
15 July 2021: Messi agrees that he will stay with Barca in a deal that includes reducing his wage until 2026.
5 August 2021: Barcelona announces that Lionel Messi will be leaving the club due to financial and structural difficulties
8 August 2021: A tearful Messi confirms that he is leaving Barca and states that a move to Paris St-Germain "is possible".
10 August 2021 – BBC Sport's Guillem balague reports that Messi signed for PSG, a deal that was confirmed by the club that evening.