Messi's numbers at Barcelona: appearances, goals, trophies...
After 17 years of goals, silverware and records, Barcelona say star forward Lionel Messi won't be signing a new contract at the Camp Nou.
Barcelona say out-of-contract star Lionel Messi won’t be signing a new deal, bringing an end to a 17-year stay in the Camp Nou first team that has seen him rack up goals, trophies and records at his so far only club.
Barcelona unable to bring Messi deal in line with LaLiga financial rules
In a statement on Thursday, Barça revealed that “financial and structural obstacles” meant Messi cannot sign a fresh deal at the LaLiga giants, despite club and player agreeing terms.
Barça, who are over one billion euros in debt, have been working to put together a new contract for Messi while also ensuring they adhere to LaLiga's financial fair play rules, but say they have been unable to.
“Despite FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi having reached an agreement and the clear intention of both parties to sign a new contract today, this cannot happen because of financial and structural obstacles (Spanish Liga regulations),” Barça said.
“As a result of this situation, Messi shall not be staying on at FC Barcelona. Both parties deeply regret that the wishes of the player and the club will ultimately not be fulfilled.”
Messi at Barcelona: most games, most goals, most gongs
Since making his first-team debut in 2004, Messi has established himself as Barça’s highest appearance maker, top goalscorer and most decorated player - among a host of other records.
In total, the 34-year-old has 778 appearances for Barça - 21 more than the man with the second-most games for the Blaugrana, Xavi Hernández - and an unparalleled 672 goals in all competitions.
He has scored more times than any player in the Clásico against arch rivals Real Madrid - 26 - and in the 2011/12 season hit a European-record 73 goals for Barça.
In November 2014, Messi overtook the legendary Telmo Zarra’s record tally of 251 career goals in LaLiga - a mark that had stood since the 1950s. The Argentine has since reached 474 Spanish top-flight goals - a total that is 163 ahead of the current second-highest scorer in LaLiga history, former Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo.
In the Champions League, however, Messi trails Ronaldo - his chief rival as the globe’s outstanding footballer over the past decade or so - having registered 120 goals to the Portuguese’s record 134.
When it comes to club silverware, Messi’s total of 35 trophy wins is higher than any other Barcelona player. Barça’s next-most successful footballer, Andrés Iniesta, has three fewer winners’ medals to his name.
Messi’s haul of trophies as a Barça player breaks down as follows: 10 LaLiga titles, four Champions Leagues, seven Copas del Rey, eight Spanish Super Cups, three UEFA Super Cups and three Club World Cups.
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Six Ballons d'Or, eight Pichichi Trophies...
In terms of individual awards, meanwhile, he has won a record six Ballons d’Or - one more than Ronaldo - in addition to one FIFA World Player of the Year and one The Best FIFA Men’s Player award.
The forward has also claimed the Pichichi Trophy as LaLiga’s top scorer an unprecedented eight times, and has won the European Golden Shoe as the continent’s outstanding league marksman on six occasions - also a record.