Barcelona president Joan Laporta reveals the reason behind Lionel Messi's departure

The Spanish giants confirmed on Thursday night that Lionel Messi is set to leave the club after spending 21 magical years at Camp Nou.

Lionel Messi in a file photo. (Image Credit: Twitter/@FCBarcelona)
By Karthik Raman | Aug 6, 2021 | 3 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Football fans were in for a major shock on Thursday night when it was announced that the mighty Lionel Messi will depart Barcelona. With many fans unable to come to terms with the shock news, the Spanish giants released a statement, explaining their decision. On Friday, Barcelona president Joan Laporta has revealed the reason behind Lionel Messi’s departure. “The salary mass is 110 per cent of the total income of the club, we don’t have any margin in terms of salary. The rules and regulations of the Spanish La Liga is regulated by Financial Fair Play and we don’t have any margin,” said Laporta in a press conference.

“We knew that when we got to the club, but the numbers that have been presented to us, they are a lot worse than were exposed initially and those that we were working with. That means that the losses are more than we had expected. What we are spending is a lot more than we expected and the current contracts mean that we have this salary mass of great magnitude. This is all tied to fair play. La Liga doesn’t follow the criteria of cash, that is why we couldn’t fit in the first contract that we agreed with Leo Messi. In order to meet fair play, Barca had to agree to an operation that would impact the club for the next 50 years in terms of television rights.

“That means that we can’t make a decision that impacts the club for the next 50 years. The club is more than 100 years old and is above everything – even the best player in the world. We will always thank him for everything he has done for us. The club goes above players, the president. We wanted to take the risks. We have realised what the real situation is at the club and we would have put the club at great risk.  The salary mass has a great deal to do with that after a calamitous situation that was down to the previous board. If we terminate current contracts, that also has risks. We can’t destroy the club.”

‘Leo wanted to stay at Barca’

Recently, Messi became a free agent after his contract expired. However, Barcelona were confident of extending his stay at the club after reportedly agreeing to a new deal with the Argentinian star. Laporta said, “Leo wanted to stay at Barca. We wanted him to stay.  I want to thank everyone that has been in the negotiations. There were lots of aspects that needed to be negotiated. He is the best player in the world and has other offers, of course.”

“After all of this process, there comes a moment where you have to say ‘enough’. You have to analyse it and look at the numbers. In La Liga we have to abide by the rules. We think they could be more flexible, but that is not an excuse. We couldn’t abide by it.  Leo deserves everything. He has proven that he loves Barca. He has his roots in Barcelona. I’m sad but I’m convinced we have done the best for the interests of Barcelona.

“Leo’s legacy is excellent, he has made history. He is the player with the most success in the history of the club. I hope we can overcome this situation. A new era starts now. There will be before and after Leo, as there was with other great players in the history of Barca.”