The Catalan team could not sign a new contract with the Argentinean, who played for the club for 17 seasons, due to financial reasons. However, Messi’s departure will make the club lose both on and off the field.
The Argentine will create an irreplaceable void in Ronald Koeman’s 11th. Barcelona will not pay the player’s salary, but his departure will cause significant financial losses.
According to the report prepared by Brand Finance, Messi’s departure will reduce the value of the Barcelona brand by 11 percent. This means that the value of the Barcelona brand in 2021 will decrease by 137 million euros.
Barcelona, which is the most valuable club after Real Madrid in the 2021 report, will also experience commercial losses after Messi’s departure. The club’s jersey sales and other marketing losses are expected to be 77 million euros.
When Cristiano Ronaldo left Real Madrid in 2018, the club’s value was down 19 percent.
A STUNNING CAREER WITH BARCELONA
Growing up from the infrastructure of Barcelona, Messi won 34 trophies, 10 of which were La Liga and 4 of which were UEFA Champions League, with the Spanish team, for which he played for 17 seasons.
Argentine football player, who played 778 matches with Barcelona in all lanes, aired the opponent’s nets 672 times.
During this period, Messi won the Golden Ball (Ballon d’Or) award given to the player of the year 6 times.
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