Barcelona has announced Lionel Messi will leave the club this summer.

The footballing icon wished to remain at the club but due to La Liga regulations a deal between the player and the club is not possible.

The sic-time Ballon d’Or winner has spent his entire career at the Spanish club but will now become a free agent which is sure to set tails wagging at the biggest clubs across Europe.

A statement from Barcelona reads: "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).

"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.

"FC Barcelona wholeheartedly expresses its gratitude to the player for his contribution to the aggrandisement of the club and wishes him all the very best for the future in his personal and professional life."

Messi won 10 La Liga titles with Barcelona after spending 18 seasons at the club.

He has recorded 520 appearances for the first team scoring an incredible 474 goals.