A day that Barcelona fans have long dreaded has come, as Lionel Messi is no longer a Blaugrana player. A whole 7,504 days after his first contract with the club was signed, on a napkin no less, the forward's contractual link to the club has ended.

For the first time since 2000 Messi doesn't have a contract at Barcelona.

His current deal lapsed at midnight in Spain, and no extension has yet been announced


With his most recent deal running until June 30, Messi has become a free agent at midnight, as June turned into July.

Joan Laporta has been working hard to convince Messi to renew and the new club president wanted to sign a contract with the Argentine before the most recent one expired, but it wasn't to be.

This doesn't mean Messi is leaving the club, as those in charge at the Camp Nou believe he will put pen to paper on a new deal and continue to wear the blue and red colours. At this moment in time, though, Messi is not a Barcelona player.

The club's financial problems prevented a new deal from being signed before the June 30 expiry date. The relationship between Laporta and Messi's father is very good, but there are several aspects of the new contract that still need to be ironed out. An agreement could be reached soon, perhaps in a few days, but it hasn't been established as of yet.

Laporta, who has urged fans to remain calm, wants Messi to sign a new deal as soon as possible. He doesn't like that the forward isn't a Barcelona player, even if it's just for a few days, while sponsors don't like this either, both existing ones and potential new partners.

Nike, for example, are looking to promote the new shirt and they can't advertise it with Messi, at least at this moment in time. That's just one example, but other sponsors don't want to sign up to new deals while Messi isn't guaranteed to be a part of the Catalan club's future.

The Messi transfer rumours

Barcelona would also like to announce Messi's renewal to put an end to the speculation and rumours.

There doesn't appear to be another club ready to try to convince Messi to sign for them right now, something other teams have been legally allowed to try to do since January. But, stranger things have happened in football.

Barcelona don't like that Messi is a free agent at this moment in time. For now, though, that's the reality.

complexBoss12:
Arsenal will be in his house now, begging him to come play for free. Arsenal will doing that they don't like spending money, till they get relegated, they are now a mid table team.

OJEEMAH:

Pepe (72M)
Aubameyang(56M)
Partey(45M)
Lacazette(46.5M)

Man UTD, City and Chelsea are the only teams that have spent more money than Arsenal in the last 3 seasons.

Maybe you should mention the free agents in the current squad beside Willian. Arsenal may not have broken British or world record to sign these guys but none of them joined for free. Try and be constructive with your criticism please.

Memphis Depay, Eric Garcia & Kun Aguero all joined Barcelona for free.....what do you have to say??

Ussycool:
I SAID IT...
This short man will not extend his contract for Barca. I wish him all the best in his new up coming club and league.

OJEEMAH:

Pepe (72M)
Aubameyang(56M)
Partey(45M)
Lacazette(46.5M)

Man UTD, City and Chelsea are the only teams that have spent more money than Arsenal in the last 3 seasons.

Maybe you should mention the free agents in the current squad beside Willian. Arsenal may not have broken British or world record to sign these guys but none of them joined for free. Try and be constructive with your criticism please.

Memphis Depay, Eric Garcia & Kun Aguero all joined Barcelona for free.....what do you have to say??

Smellymouth:
For his sake and Barcelona's sake, he should leave.

Other players are too dependent on him when he plays and the whole game tends to be around him when he is on the field and when he fails to be at his best, barca loses. Well, that's the downside of having a GOAT in your team.

Not blaming him, but when he is not there, other players play freely, shoot freely and play their natural game instead of finding Messi and moving the ball to him. I think this shows that it's time...