Lionel Messi 'Has Never Been Further Away' From Renewing His Contract With Barcelona

There's been a worrying update on Lionel Messi's contract situation at Barcelona.

The six-time Ballon d'Or winner's deal at the Nou Camp expired on June 30 and he became a free agent, though it was widely believed that negotiations in regards to a renewal were progressing well.

However, MARCA are now reporting that there has been an unexpected halt to proceedings and that "negotiations have reached a point of no return which seems impossible to resolve".

A five-year deal had been on the table for the 34-year-old, yet it's said Messi "has never been further away" from extending his stay at the Nou Camp.

The shock news comes following a meeting between Barcelona chiefs and Messi's representatives, including his father Jorge, on Thursday.

Barca president Joan Laporta, as well as other key figures within the club, are well aware of the situation after a meal highlighted a hesitance from Messi to put pen to paper.

The Blaugrana are now said to be working on a way to communicate the outcome of Thursday's meeting.

The Copa Del Rey winners were confident of getting their all-time top scorer to sign for another five years and he was rumoured to be taking a 50 per cent pay cut due to the club's dire financial predicament.

Even with La Liga striking a lucrative €2.7 billion cash injection following an agreement with the CVC investment fund, Barca still need to make significant reductions to their wage bill.

It's noted that if Barca were to take a sum, they would have to abandon plans to still compete in the controversial European Super League that is still in the works despite the widespread opposition.

Messi, meanwhile, is believed to be unimpressed with Barca's squad in addition to their economic situation - and expressed his opinion upon returning following his vacation.