Why did Messi leave Barcelona?

Lionel Messi left Barcelona because the club was unable to offer him a new contract that would comply with La Liga's Financial Fair Play regulations. Barcelona had been struggling financially due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the club's massive debt.

Messi had been negotiating a new contract with Barcelona for several months before he became a free agent in the summer of 2021. Despite both parties expressing a desire to continue their partnership, Barcelona was unable to make a suitable offer to Messi due to the financial constraints.

Messi eventually signed with Paris Saint-Germain in August 2021, where he joined former teammate Neymar and fellow superstar Kylan Mbappé.

What position does Messi play?

Lionel Messi is a professional footballer who has primarily played as a forward throughout his career. He is often deployed as a right winger or as a central attacking midfielder, but he is also known for his versatility and can play in various attacking positions on the field. Messi has also occasionally played as a false nine or as a striker, depending on the tactical setup of his team.

messi career stats

Here are some of his career stats as of my knowledge cutoff date:

Club career:

- Barcelona (2004-2021): 778 appearances, 672 goals, 305 assists
- Paris Saint-Germain (2021-present): 31 appearances, 19 goals, 10 assists

International career:

- Argentina (2005-present): 156 appearances, 79 goals, 36 assists

Some of Messi's other notable achievements include:


- 10 La Liga titles (2004-2005, 2005-2006, 2008-2009, 2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2012-2013, 2014-2015, 2015-2016, 2017-2018, 2018-2019)
- Olympic gold medal (2008)
- Copa America (2021)
- All-time top scorer in La Liga, Barcelona, and Argentina's national team

It's worth noting that these stats may not be completely up-to-date, as Messi is still actively playing for Paris Saint-Germain and the Argentine national team.