Barcelona President Joan Laporta has revisited the seismic departure of Lionel Messi in 2021, standing firm on his resolution to let the club icon exit the Camp Nou. Despite Messi’s status as arguably the most decorated figure in the history of the “Blaugrana,” the administration found itself paralyzed by a combination of staggering internal debt and the stringent salary cap regulations imposed by LaLiga.
The fallout of that summer saw the eight-time Ballon d’Or recipient relocate to France to join Paris Saint-Germain, before eventually moving to Major League Soccer with Inter Miami two years later. While a romantic return to Catalonia was heavily speculated upon in 2023, the Argentine maestro ultimately opted for the American project. Reflecting on the era, Laporta characterized the move as a painful but vital necessity to ensure the long-term survival and modernization of the institution.
In a detailed sit-down with the Spanish outlet Marca, the club chief elaborated on the strategic shift that followed the departure of their long-standing captain, emphasizing the need for a fresh start to stabilize the organization’s economic foundations.
“I had to make a decision, and I believe it was the correct one; the outcomes are evident.
“We managed to restore the club’s financial health, assembled a competitive team, and it was time for a generational shift.
“Leo was nearing the end of his career, and we needed to build a new team. Would I have preferred to create a new team with Leo’s assistance? Yes. We attempted that, but it was not feasible.”
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