Joan Laporta admits Messi relationship is not what it was | OneFootball

"The relationship with Lionel Messi is not what it was," said Joan Laporta. The Barcelona president was speaking to Catalunya Radio.

"There was an incident at the Ballon d'Or ceremony when I went to greet him and he felt we should not greet. Since then there has been some rapprochement, and we hope that will continue in the future. The relationship is tense, but he remains a Barcelona legend."

Messi played for Barcelona from 2000 to 2021, scoring 672 goals in 778 senior appearances and winning 35 trophies, including 10 Liga titles and four Champions Leagues.

"We did not want to sign the CVC agreement for his registration, because we believed that would be detrimental to the club," he said. "Barcelona is above the players, the executives and the presidents, and we could not accept that, even in a difficult moment. The amounts linked to his renewal were exorbitant, which is why he could not continue."

Messi spent two mixed seasons at PSG before joining MLS side Inter Miami in 2023, where he still plays. Since his departure, Barcelona have not won the Champions League, their last European title was in 2015.

Source: L'Équipe