Laporta Reveals Why Messi's Exit Was 'Best For Barcelona'

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has said that not keeping Lionel Messi at Camp Nou was best for the club, as they were on the verge of financial ruin. 

La Blaugrana were desperate to renew the 35-year-old's contract, following the expiration of his previous deal. 

However, financial struggles in Catalonia made it impossible for the dribbling magician to extend his stay with the La Liga heavyweights. 

Messi left the Camp Nou outfit for Paris Saint-Germain in June of 2021, calling an emotional end to his 21-year Barcelona career. 

Laporta has revealed that allowing the veteran to leave Barcelona was the best thing to happen to the club at the time, or the Catalan giants would have otherwise been financially crippled. 

"I had to put Barca ahead of the best player in the history of football," the 60-year-old told Cadena SER, via GOAL. "In those moments of financial ruin, I could not retain him. I think it was the best for the club. Right now, he is a PSG player and I prefer not to talk about him." 

Laporta to mend Messi relationship

 Laporta has made it public that he feels 'indebted' to the Argentine superstar for his contributions to the club, and has pledged to bring him back to Camp Nou. 

Now, journalist Achraf Ben Ayad claims that the Barcelona president will now silently work on mending his relationshi with Messi. 

Laporta and the Argentine's relationship soured after the Barca chief claimed he had renewed the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner's contract, only to pull the rug from under him at the last minute. 

Source: SportsBrief