Reasons for Messi’s Barcelona exit NOT true – Tebas
Carlo Garganese
- 12 Sept 2021 12:58 BST
- 3 min read
La Liga president Javier Tebas says that Lionel Messi did not leave Barcelona due to economic reasons.
Messi sensationally departed the Blaugrana this summer and joined PSG on a free transfer.
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Barcelona and Messi both wanted to continue together but it was claimed that the Catalans couldn’t afford to register the Argentina star’s new contract.
Tebas, though, says this is not true.
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"I discussed it with [Barcelona president] Joan Laporta personally, by phone, and with his board of directors. Solutions were sought, if the reason was economic. If it has been for another reason, I can no longer value it,” Tebas told Sport.
"I think that next season, with the numbers that Barca release, we will see if Messi could really have stayed or not. And although I respect the decision of the club, you have to tell things as they are.
"It was not an economic decision. I know for sure."
Tebas sad about Messi exit
Messi’s exit was not only a painful blow for Barcelona, but for La Liga as a whole as they lost yet another marketable superstar.
"Just like when Cristiano Ronaldo, Pep Guardiola or Jose Mourinho left. We knew that one day this would happen,” Tebas added.
"We have had the great luck of having the two best footballers in the world in the two best teams in the world and from La Liga we have been able to take advantage of this to put ourselves on the world front line.
"Perhaps Messi's departure has been a bit more painful, because personally I consider him the best in history, and he didn't deserve to leave like that, not only for Barça but for La Liga as well.
Messi did not play for PSG this weekend following his exertions with the Argentina national team during the international break.
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