There are various reasons why Lionel Messi refused to sign a new contract with Barcelona, including the fact they failed to beat Tottenham to Atalanta defender Cristian Romero.
Barca announced via an official statement this evening that Messi will no longer play for the club, as the contract they had agreed is not valid under current Liga rules, even with a 50 per cent pay cut.
Sportitalia reporter Gianluigi Longari was the first to break the news this afternoon, even before Marca and RAC1 radio.
Longari also claims one of the reasons behind the split was that the Argentina international was deeply disappointed in the team being built by coach Ronald Koeman.
Specifically, he points towards the failure to compete with Tottenham Hotspur for Atalanta defender Romero, who flew out to London today to complete the €55m transfer.
Messi was so impressed by ‘Cuti’ Romero during Argentina’s Copa America-winning run this summer that he begged Barcelona to buy the 23-year-old.
When they were only able to propose a loan with option to buy, naturally Atalanta and Romero looked elsewhere.
Another issue is financial, as the Liga would not allow Barcelona to register the contract, even with a 50 per cent pay cut from the salary he was on last season.
It’s no coincidence this breakdown comes on the same day that Real Madrid announced they are suing the Liga for accepting a deal from investment fund CVC worth €3 billion.
The reasons given are the same ones that Serie A clubs used to reject it, media rights and – the unspoken part – it will effectively ban the European Super League project.
Only Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus remain legally committed to the project and are determined to see it through.
TOTALLY TRUE. Finally someone who knows the truth! https://t.co/R6MDPz0h5C
— Gianluigi Longari (@Glongari) August 5, 2021