How Long Was Messi’s Contract With Barcelona?

By Robert Palmer

Messi’s contract with Barcelona was a topic of much speculation and discussion among football fans and pundits alike. Let’s delve into the details of this significant agreement.

The Length of Messi’s Contract

After spending his entire professional career at Barcelona, Lionel Messi signed a contract extension on November 25, 2017. This new deal was set to keep him at the club until June 30, 2021.

However, in August 2020, Messi expressed his desire to leave Barcelona. He cited a clause in his contract that allowed him to do so for free at the end of each season. The club, on the other hand, claimed that the clause had expired on June 10, 2020.

The Legal Battle

The dispute regarding the validity of the clause led to a legal battle between Messi and Barcelona. Eventually, Messi decided to stay at Barcelona for the 2020-2021 season to avoid further conflict.

The contract saga continued throughout the season as rumors swirled about Messi’s future. On March 7, 2021, Barcelona presidential candidate Joan Laporta confirmed that Messi’s contract was set to expire in June of that year.

The Final Extension

On July 14, 2021, after winning the Copa America with Argentina, Messi agreed to another extension with Barcelona. This new contract would have seen him stay at the club until June 30, 2026.

However, due to financial complications and La Liga regulations regarding salary limits for clubs under Financial Fair Play rules, Barcelona announced on August 5, 2021 that they could not register Messi’s new contract. As a result, Lionel Messi left Barcelona and eventually signed with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

In Conclusion

In summary, Lionel Messi’s contract with Barcelona was initially set to expire on June 30, 2021. However, due to various circumstances, his contract was extended until June 30, 2026. Unfortunately, financial constraints prevented Barcelona from registering the new contract, leading Messi to leave the club after more than two decades.