Leo and Jorge Messi were left surprised

Leo Messi was more surprised than anyone by yesterday's events. He had been locked in negotiations with Barcelona, and its president Joan Laporta, for months, with a view to signing a new deal following the expiration of his previous one on 30 June. According to SPORT sources, both Messi and his family fully expected him to sign a new contract. The player was under the impression that everything would be sorted on Thursday, and that he would be able to join in with pre-season training as soon as this Friday.

Messi's father, Jorge, had travelled to Barcelona to tie up negotiations with the club. Leo and Jorge felt that the financial terms had been agreed upon with Barcelona, and all that was left was for the board to decide how they wanted to officially announce his new deal.

The surprise arrived when Laporta turned up to yesterday's meeting and informed Jorge Messi that the club would not be able to register the player for the upcoming campaign due to the salary cap imposed by LaLiga.

SALARY CAP

After getting over the initial surprise, the spokesperson for the Messi family told Laporta that the player would be willing to agree to even lower terms to make it easier for the club to register him with the Spanish league.

The family gave Laporta time to consider this option, but finally Barça told them that the club wouldn't be able to find a way around the salary cap. As such, it would not be possible for the club to register the player while complying with the rules. Negotiations were then officially broken off, leaving Messi free to find a new club away from Camp Nou.

FUTURE

Sources close to the Messi family state that the player has not held any official negotiations with any other club, as until yesterday he was convinced that he would remain a Barcelona player. However, the Argentina international wants to keep playing at the highest level of European football, and he is now free to discuss moves with other sides.

Yesterday's news caught Messi and his family by surprise. He wanted to remain a Barça player, but the club told him that it wasn't possible. The only solution, it was decided, was to end his 20-year association with FC Barcelona.