Barcelona’s president, Juan Laporta, spoke about the club’s financial problems, the money owed to Argentine star Lionel Messi, and the potential renewal of coach Xavi Hernandez’s contract.
Laporta revealed that the club still owes Messi sums owed by the club and is expected to expire within two years.
“The amounts owed to him are a deferral and wage scheduling that was agreed upon with the previous board of directors and which results in payments due that expire in 2025,” Laporta told La Vanguardia.
The president also discussed Messi’s decision to reject Barcelona’s offer and sign for Inter Miami instead.
“We had an agreement with La Liga that we would allocate part of the resources we have to Messi,” Laporta revealed.
He explained, “This was included in the feasibility plan … and this is what we told Jorge Messi, who told me that Leo had a very difficult year in Paris and wanted less pressure.”
And he continued, “With our choice, he would have remained under pressure, and I understood his decision to go to Inter Miami .. Good luck to him, and we began to prepare a great honor for him in the framework of the club’s 125th anniversary, and when we return to Camp Nou (after its renovation), the time will be appropriate for that.”
Xavi contract
Laporta reiterated his assertion that Barcelona may not be able to sign new players in the midfield, but he is optimistic that the club will extend the contract of Xavi Hernandez, coach of the team.
Laporta pointed out, “(Xavi) understands the club’s situation. He would like to strengthen the midfield, but he knows that some options are useless and it would be a mistake (to sign them). He wants to continue and there will be no problem.”
Fatty is staying
There have been several reports claiming that Spaniard Ansu Fati may leave Barcelona this summer, but Laporta believes that the La Masia academy graduate will remain in the team.
Laporta added, “He stays with us .. but he must earn Xavi’s confidence, and when he goes down to the field, he has to make a difference because he has the talent to do so.”
He pointed out that, “There are offers for (Andreas) Christensen, Pedri, Gavi, (Ronald) Araujo, (Marc-Andre) ter Stegen, Ansu Fati, Rafinha and (Alejandro) Balde .. but we do not have players for sale in the club.”
