Lionel Messi to leave Barcelona: how the football world reacted to the ‘seismic’ news

‘Financial and structural obstacles’ scupper Argentine’s new deal with cash-strapped Catalans

Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi is captain of Barcelona and the Argentine national team
(Image credit: David Ramos/Getty Images)

Shockwaves were sent through the world of football after FC Barcelona announced that captain and star player Lionel Messi would be leaving after 21 years with the club. Messi, 34, has only ever played senior club football for the Catalans, but was out of contract after his deal expired on 1 July.

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Mike Starling is the former digital features editor at The Week. He started his career in 2001 in Gloucestershire as a sports reporter and sub-editor and has held various roles as a writer and editor at news, travel and B2B publications. He has spoken at a number of sports business conferences and also worked as a consultant creating sports travel content for tourism boards. International experience includes spells living and working in Dubai, UAE; Brisbane, Australia; and Beirut, Lebanon.