Dramatic Financial Problems Compelled Messi to Leave Says Laporta

Barcelona president Joan Laporta on Monday revealed details of what he called “dramatic” financial problems that compelled Messi to leave.

He said, “the economic and financial situation of the club is worrying, and the financial situation is dramatic,” Laporta told a two-hour press conference at the Camp Nou.

According to Joan, “Barcelona, is neck-deep in debts of 1.35 billion euros and a wage bill, at 617 million euros, that is “25 to 30 per cent higher than that of our competitors”. “We are all tightening our belts, in a couple of years the club’s finances will be healthy.”

Laporta said that the two sides held “negotiations that both parties hoped would be fruitful but didn’t work out. There is a mutual disappointment.”

He revealed that the Argentine’s presentation as a Paris Saint-Germain player on Saturday left him with “mixed feelings, like all Barca fans”.

“I would have preferred to see him at Barca, although we have made the right decision,” Laporta mused. “I wish him all the best, I like to see him happy, he deserves it. From now on we will be an opponent.”

Barcelona started their season with an outstanding 4-2 home win over Real Sociedad on Sunday.

Laporta said, “It was a very Barca-like reaction,”  “All the players are more motivated than ever.”

“Sunday showed that Barcelona fans are eager for football and to see a team that fights and plays well”.

He further said, “A new era is beginning. The short-term prospects are complicated, but in the medium-term they are magnificent,” said Laporta, adding that Barcelona plans to return to developing young players as they did with Messi, who came through the youth system known as ‘La Masia’.

“We are going to bet on La Masia, which will allow us to develop the model we want.”