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Joan Laporta's advisor admits Lionel Messi's Barcelona exit 'could have been done better' as he confirms reason for club president's brutal decision

LaLiga

Celta Vigo

Barcelona

<p>Messi's exit from the Blaugrana came in tragic circumstances, as the club's financial problems forced their hand. The Argentinian, now playing in the United States for Inter Miami, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/messi-in-tears-at-final-barcelona-press-conference-as-he-confirms-psg-move-is-a-possibility/14fm8fdsj9l451l2phubx0s6aa" target="_blank">was in tears</a> as he confirmed his departure at a news conference, saying he was "convinced" that he was going to stay at the club he joined as a 13-year-old.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>At the time, Barcelona attributed Messi's exit to "financial and structural obstacles" put in place by "Spanish La Liga regulations on player registration", as they <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/why-has-lionel-messi-left-barcelona-argentina-stars-camp-nou-departure-explained/70h6eccvmujk1bem6dz3mxjty" target="_blank">struggled to meet the league's salary cap rules</a>. Messi was <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/messi-says-its-a-lie-he-asked-barcelona-for-30-per-cent-more-as-he-confirms-he-offered-to-halve-wages/15ekacevty6a21rt6tc4kx4hgg" target="_blank">willing to take a pay cut</a> in order to stay but ultimately, a new deal couldn't be reached and he <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/messi-psg-two-year-contract-free-transfer-barcelona-departure/abx3a6jlwcoc12co9uve9uap8" target="_blank">left for Paris Saint-Germain</a>, having played his final game in front of an empty Camp Nou owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>"The president said that the club could not be endangered and it is so," Enric Masip said, per <a href="https://www.marca.com/futbol/barcelona/2024/11/19/masip-liga-mbappe-aparecido-lamine.html" target="_blank"><em>Marca</em></a>. "Maybe it could have been done better. He left Laporta touched because he was very fond of him."</p>

WHAT LAPORTA'S ADVISOR SAID

<p>The club have voiced their <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/when-will-lionel-messi-return-barcelona-two-dates-lined-up-inter-miami-superstar-homecoming/bltfa6d790e0963a2d5" target="_blank">desire to welcome Messi back</a> in some way to say a proper farewell to their fans, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-return-barcelona-cristiano-ronaldo-anniversary-match-inter-miami-david-beckham-ronaldinho/blt793d8c22de2e883f" target="_blank">whether that's a tribute match</a> or even the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/will-lionel-messi-return-barcelona-first-game-revamped-camp-nou-inter-miami-chief-explains-what-needs-happen/blt89b9c8e2d7693b50" target="_blank">first game at their revamped Camp Nou</a>.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?

Joan Laporta's advisor admits Lionel Messi's Barcelona exit 'could have been done better' as he confirms reason for club president's brutal decision | Goal.com Singapore

Lionel Messi&apos;s exit from Barcelona &quot;could have been done better&quot;, according to president Joan Laporta&apos;s close aide.

Joan Laporta&apos;s advisor admits Lionel Messi&apos;s Barcelona exit &apos;could have been done better&apos; as he confirms reason for club president&apos;s brutal decision