Lionel Messi will end his 20-year career with Spanish FC Barcelona, the club has said.
“Although an agreement has been reached between FC Barcelona and Leo Messi it cannot be formalised due to economic and structural obstacles,” said a statement from the club.
“Faced with this situation, Lionel Messi will not remain linked to Barcelona. Both sides deeply regret that the wishes of both the player and the club cannot come true,” it added.
Six-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi, 34, had last month won the Copa America trophy for his national side Argentina, beating Brazil in the summit clash.
However, doubts loomed over his continuation at the club ever since he tried to leave last August as a free agent, citing a clause in his contract and saying the club had had “no project or anything for a long time”.
Messi, who signed his first contract with Barcelona in 2000 when he was just 13, has been a free agent since June 30 when his old agreement expired after playing 788 games for the club.