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Aveek Chaudhuri, August 5, 2021

IT’S OFFICIAL: LIONEL MESSI WILL NOT RETURN TO BARCELONA! THE UNTHINKABLE HAS TRULY HAPPENED!

After a whole year of uncertainty, Messi and Barcelona finally part ways after 21 years, announced by the club earlier today. However, this outcome was not wanted by either side. Due to bad transfer deals and the COVID-19 pandemic, Barcelona was left in a very poor financial state, drowning in debt. After new President Joan Laporta entered office, the great club’s state started looking a bit more positive. But ultimately, the financial situation could not be situated to be in line with La Liga’s regulations, preventing a new deal from being signed for Messi.

Despite Barcelona’s poor state, Messi was committed to resigning despite their problems before. Even though he was on a $168.5 million a year contract, he was willing to take a 50% pay cut to re-sign and decrease some of the pressure on Barcelona. But sadly, it just wasn’t feasible in the club’s current state. So with heavy hearts, they officially separated today, leaving the whole football world shocked.

Now, the entire world watches to see where one of the greatest players in history goes next. Some fans may still be recovering from the shock of having to imagine Messi in a different uniform though. One of the biggest potential suitors for the Argentine was Manchester City. However, Pep Guardiola’s team announced the massive signing of Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish for around $139 million at around the same time as Messi’s departure was announced. To make matters worse, Grealish has already been handed the number 10 shirt.

ANobody knows where Lionel Messi will end up next. Wherever his journey continues, his stay at Barcelona will always be known as the greatest in football history. We will all miss watching the G.O.A.T at Camp Nou. We can only cherish the memories now.