Barcelona president Laporta ‘not sorry’ to see Messi leave
Robin Bairner
- 7 Mar 2022 22:05 GMT
- 3 min read
Lionel Messi’s transfer from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain was a heart-breaking moment for president Joan Laporta, but he refuses to apologise for taking the decision to release the Argentine.
Messi, who won six Ballons d’Or with Barca before picking up a seventh while at PSG, saw his contract expire at Camp Nou last summer.
Due to the salary cap that Barcelona faced, it became impossible for the club’s record goalscorer to continue with the Blaugrana. PSG hastily moved to snap up Messi on a free transfer in August.
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“It was painful,” Laporta told the club as he celebrated a year since he became president for a second time. “It was the saddest decision of all and I would never have wanted to make it. But I’m not sorry either because I wanted to put the institution ahead of everything, even the coaches and the best player in history.
“We had to do it. The situation we inherited was what it was. It was reality.
“Those of us who love Barca know that story continues and with work and well-thought-out decisions, we can continue on the path of success.”
Messi at PSG
Messi has struggled to recapture his best with the Ligue 1 side. In a season that has been interrupted by injury, illness and international duty, he has managed to score only a couple of league goals. He has, however, contributed heavily in terms of assists and has also struck five times in the Champions League.
Nevertheless, his mediocre form has led to suggestions that he could one day return to Barcelona before his playing days are out.
In a strange twist, though, Messi could end up rubbing shoulders with Cristiano Ronaldo next season, with former Real Madrid man considering a move to PSG as Manchester United continue to struggle.
