The Lionel Messi and Barcelona saga has a stunning final chapter.
Barcelona announced Thursday that due to economic issues, Messi will not be returning to the club after all. The announcement comes after multiple reports that the two sides hit a stumbling block on contract talks that were expected to result in the club legend returning for this season and beyond. Messi is currently a free agent, with his previous contract expiring on June 30, and it had been reported that the two sides had agreed to terms on a new five-year pact that would keep him at Camp Nou until he's 39.