El Mundo published the complete details of Lionel Messi’s contract with Barcelona yesterday. He earned a whopping €555m for 4 years after signing the contract in 2017. The astounding numbers have come under heavy criticism as Barcelona are on the verge of going bankrupt.
Lionel Messi is angry with the situation and wants to sue the one who leaked the contract details. Barcelona presidential candidate Joan Laporta has also voiced his support for Lionel Messi. He condemned the leak of the contract.
Joan Laporta gave an interview to RAC1. Here’s what he had to say about Messi’s situation at Barcelona:
Keeping Messi at Barcelona
“I will do my best to keep Messi at Barça. I have indications that he is fine in Barcelona, that he wants to stay. You need to rely on a sports project to continue winning Champions.”
“The next Barça president must make every effort to keep Messi at Barça.”
“If we know the reality of Barça we must be clear that Messi should stay and we must do everything possible for him to stay. You can be redoing the sports part with more guarantees.”
Messi’s contract with Barcelona leaked
“I sent him a message encouraging him, telling him not to pay attention. He did not answer me.”
“I was saddened by the news because Barça lacked respect. Because there is misgovernment it is easier for these things to happen.”
“Violating the confidentiality of a professional contract is a crime.”
“Do you suspect? I have a feeling it has been a leak. What I suspect is irrelevant. I hope he doesn’t leave the club, but I’m afraid he’s going that way.”
“If I win I will try to find out who has leaked the document if he has left the club. You have to know. I will also ask the president of the League.”
The contribution of Messi at Barcelona
“Leo generates much more income than the money it costs. We have carried out a study and it generates a third of Barça’s total income.”
“In no case has Messi caused the club’s financial situation. Conversely, it generates much more than it charges.”
“The moments that Leo has made us live are priceless. It’s a huge emotional and sporting return.”
“Without Leo it would not have earned so much.”
Ensuring Messi doesn’t leave Barcelona
“Some demonstrations do not help Messi stay at the club, nor the situation of misgovernment. We wanted to talk to Leo and make him a proposal that fits Barça’s financial possibilities.”
“He needs a very competitive sporting proposition, which is what he wants. And I’m convinced he wants to stay.”
“Messi is not guided by money. This contract ends in June. You have to look for an imaginative formula. He will not prioritize money. I am convinced that with the economic issue it will help. But he must also have a contract as the best athlete in the world.”
“If he tells me he wants to leave I will tell him to rethink it, to look at the positives of staying. That money is not synonymous with securities.”
Barcelona’s financial problems
“The situation in which we find ourselves is given by the negligence of the financial discipline of the previous board.”
“The loss range is between 150 and 250 million euros.”
Joan Laporta’s promise as Barcelona’s presidential candidate
“The atmosphere and philosophy that reigns in the club must be changed. You need to cite sponsors, give them confidence. We need to talk to the bodies that regulate football. I will call the presidents of the RFEF, the LFP, FIFA, UEFA.”
“I present myself to prevent Barça from being an SAE. I want to give a message of reassurance. We already did it in 2003 in a similar situation and turned it upside down.”
