Lionel Messi will not return to FC Barcelona, leaves club after 17 seasons

Soccer superstar Lionel Messi will not renew his contract with FC Barcelona, the team announced Thursday. Messi has played for the club in the last 17 seasons where he has been the team's all-time scorer over the course of nearly 800 games.

FC Barcelona said in a statement that despite an agreement in place between the team and Messi, the club said a new contract cannot be signed because of "financial and structural obstacles," citing regulations from he Spanish soccer league, LaLiga. "As a result of this situation, Messi shall not be staying on at FC Barcelona," the team said. "Both parties deeply regret that the wishes of the player and the club will ultimately not be fulfilled.