Laporta criticised: Barcelona didn't do their all to keep Messi

Posted Tuesday, August 10, 2021 by Marca.com

Barcelona director who resigned over Messi departure criticises the president

Laporta criticised: Barcelona didn't do their all to keep Messi
Barcelona president Joan Laporta and Lionel Messi.

Lionel Messi's exit from Barcelona led to Jaume Llopis, a former member of the Espai Barca Commission, resigning from his post as he believes that the club did not do their all to keep the Argentine at the club.

Without explicitly naming Barcelona president Joan Laporta, Llopis intimated that he bowed to pressure from club CEO Ferran Reverter to get Messi's wages off the books.

"There were 25 days left and I don't think everything that could have been done has been done. There was no real will to negotiate Messi's future", Llopis said on the programme Que t'hi jugues.

"With Messi's departure the wage bill is lightened in the short term, but there are many players, managers and staff members who are not needed.

"It's a question of reducing the wage bill with a player who could do it. I think there has been pressure from the CEO to save money on this salary. There are many drastic things that could have been done that have not been done."

Florentino Perez

Llopis did come after Laporta for his involvement in the European Super League project, though, as he met with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez and Juventus chief Andrea Agnelli to discuss future plans, all while Messi's future remained up in the air.

"It's a great project, but it's uncertain. I don't know what the cordial entente with the Real Madrid president is all about," Llopis noted.

"It's incomprehensible that while the Barcelona fans were crying over Leo's departure, Laporta was having a meal with the president of Real Madrid. We have to take care of our image."