Lionel Messi leaves Barcelona after 21 years as contract talks fail

Six-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi has left Barcelona, the club announced today. "Despite Barcelona and Messi having reached an agreement and the clear intention of both parties to sign a new contract...this cannot happen because of financial and structural obstacles (Spanish Liga regulations)," it added. Messi had joined the club as a youth player in 2000.