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Barcelona on Thursday announced that Lionel Messi is leaving the club.
State of play: Barcelona said that while the club and Messi had reached an agreement for a new contract, there were "financial and structural obstacles" that prevented Messi from staying.
What they're saying: "FC Barcelona wholeheartedly expresses its gratitude to the player for his contribution to the aggrandizement of the club and wishes him all the very best for the future in his personal and professional life," Barcelona said in a statement.
- “Both parties deeply regret that the wishes of the player and the club will ultimately not be fulfilled," it added.