7th August, 2021
Agency Reports
Paris Saint Germain-bound Lionel Messi will hold a farewell news conference on Sunday.
The venue is Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium, the La Liga club said.
The news conference comes in the wake of his surprise departure after 21 years of service..
According to FC Barcelona, Messi will speak at 1000 GMT.
The La Liga club said on Thursday the 34-year-old will leave the club.
This was after both parties reached an agreement over a new contract.
Club President Joan Laporta cited economic and structural obstacles to the renewal of the deal.
Messi, who joined Barca’s youth set-up aged 13, is the club’s all-time top scorer and appearance maker.
He had 672 goals in 778 games in all competitions.
Laporta said on Friday the club was forced to set Messi free because his high wages.
The second reason was the strict La Liga financial rules could have jeopardised its future.
Messi had wanted to sign a new contract at Barcelona on reduced terms, reportedly 50% below his current pay.
But the club was unable to come up with an arrangement that also complied with the financial rules of La Liga.
Laporta said Messi’s wages would make the club spend 95 percent of its income on wages.
Messi’s last contract, signed in 2017, was the most lucrative in world sport according to a January report in newspaper El Mundo.
Forbes has listed him as the athlete with the world’s second-highest earnings in 2021, at $130 million.
Messi helped Barcelona claim 10 league titles, four Champions Leagues and three Club World Cups.
He technically ended his 21-year association with the club at the end of June.
He is currently a free agent.
Messi going to PSG
French newspaper L’Equipe reported on Friday that Messi is set to join Paris St Germain.
This was confirmed by PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino.
He said the megastar was an “option” that was being evaluated.
Messi has also long been linked with a move to Manchester City.
But manager Pep Guardiola said the Premier League champions had no plans to make a move for him.