Lionel Messi will not play another game in a Barcelona shirt! Despite efforts made by the club, it has not been possible to reach an agreement to keep the Argentine star at the Camp Nou.

Barcelona announced that the club will not be able to keep Messi at the Campo Nou, with the Argentine set to leave after joining the Catalan side at 13 years old.

In a statement released by the club on Thursday evening, Barcelona made clear that the two parties had come to an agreement over financial terms and a contract extension, but the economic and structural rules posed by LaLiga's economic controls has made this unfortunate situation a reality.

"Despite having reached an agreement between FC Barcelona and Leo Messi, with the clear intention of both parties to sign a new contract, it can't be formalised due to economic and structural obstacles," the statement read.

Lionel Messi will now continue as a free agent until he finds a club to sign for ahead of the 2021/22 season.