Well, it\u2019s finally actually happened \u2013 Lionel Messi, the soccer world\u2019s penultimate GOAT \u2013 is now a free agent with the liberty to join any club of his desire.<\/p>\n
For the first time in over 17 years, Lionel Messi is officially no longer a Barcelona player. As of midnight on the 30th of June 2021, the Argentine superstar\u2019s contract is finally up, and what many fans of the club considered doomsday has finally arrived.<\/p>\n
Of course, hype and doomsday pronouncements aside, news has long been circulating that the diminutive Argentinian wizard whom many regard as the greatest football player ever would not be leaving Camp Nou and is expected to have agreed, at least in principle, to the renewing of his contract for another two years and is expected to sign on the dotted line upon his return from his Copa America expedition soon.<\/p>\n
The aftermath of the 2019-20 season had indeed left a slightly rancid taste in the mouths of all\u00a0Cul\u00e9s<\/em> that their enamored wizard seemed destined to end a near two-decades-long romance in the worst way possible, machinated by the self-serving, evil schemes of Josep Maria Bartomeu and his board. If it weren\u2019t for his long-ingrained loyalty to the club that gave him his all, Messi would have been long gone.<\/p>\n