Messi exit 'sad but necessary' after Barca's debt time bomb explodes

APD NEWS

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Rousing chants of Lionel Messi's name came in the 10th minute of Barcelona's 4-2 victory over Real Sociedad on Sunday night. A week after witnessing their former talisman wipe away his tears and walk away, Blaugrana fans, many of whom defiantly wore Messi's famous number 10 shirt, made sure that their greatest-ever player is not forgotten.

"We can't live in the past; we have to live today and tomorrow," said Barca coach Ronald Koeman before their La Liga opener. But it has become an enviable habit to watch Messi flaunt his tremendous talent at the Camp Nou for the past 17 years, and it is extremely difficult to let go.

Even a hugely entertaining win and some outstanding individual performances failed to quell the anger of Barca supporters. Yes, Martin Braithwaite was in brilliant form, Memphis Depay was hugely impressive on his league debut, Gerard Pique was flawless in both ends of the field, but what if Messi stays put and not leave?

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Martin Braithwaite celebrates as Barcelona begin their post-Messi era with a big win over Real Sociedad at Camp Nou in Barcelona, Spain, August 15, 2021. /CFP

Joan Laporta was not impressed. As banners hung around Camp Nou, blaming him for Messi's sudden departure, the Barcelona president insisted it was unfair to make him take all the blame.

In a two-hour press conference on Monday, Laporta declared that Barcelona's previous regime under Josep Maria Bartomeu should be held accountable for the club's current financial crisis, and Messi's exit was "sad but necessary."

"The economic and financial situation of the club is worrying, and the financial situation is dramatic," said Laporta. "Our salaries represent 103 per cent of the club's total income. That's 20-25 percent more than our competitors."

"The first thing we had to do when we arrived was to ask for a loan of 80 million euros ($94.2 million) because otherwise, we could not pay the salaries. The previous regime was full of lies."

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Barcelona President Joan Laporta reveals the full extent of the club's debts at a press conference in Barcelona, Spain, August 16, 2021. /CFP

"We also found that we had to do some urgent repairs to Camp Nou because otherwise, it posed a risk to the attending fans. We also found out that the club had already received 50 percent of the TV rights fees in advance," he continued.

"We found the wage policy in the form of an inverted pyramid – veterans on long contracts and youngsters on short deal. There were no wages cuts – lies. Barcelona has a negative net worth of 451 million euros – it is a terrible inheritance."

Laporta also revealed that captain Gerard Pique agreed to take a huge reduction in his salary last week, which allows the club to register the new signings Depay and Eric Garcia.

"I thank Pique for his willingness to help the club. His reduction has helped us to register players. We can register Kun [Sergio Aguero] with the agreement we plan to have with the other players. I hope the other captains act like Pique," he said.

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Lionel Messi is presented to the PSG fans ahead of their French Ligue 1 game at Parc des Princes in Paris, France, August 14, 2021. /CFP

Laporta confirmed that Barcelona need to reduce salaries by about 200 million euros, and the negotiations continue with other club veterans Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto.

"I understand the players. They come off the back of reductions and they are asked to make another effort. Jordi, Busquets and Roberto are behaving very well and we will reach an agreement that suits both sides. They will do that service for the club and we will announce it when we can," Laporta said.

Laporta revealed that he had watched Messi's grand presentation as a Paris Saint-Germain player over the weekend. "It left me with mixed feelings, like all Barca fans," he said. "Both Messi and Barca wanted to continue but it didn't work out."

"When we saw the situation the institution is in, we had to prioritize the club's interests. There is a mutual disappointment."

(CGTN)