Eight months have passed, but Lionel Messi’s shocking Barcelona exit is still a topic from time to time. Even thou everybody moved on since July 1st, when the Argentinian became a free agent, this painful event keeps coming back. When the best player in the world became a free agent, it was widely expected (even by Messi himself) that the new Barcelona board, led by president Joan Laporta will somehow manage the huge financial deficit, and resign their icon. But, in reality, it was an impossible task, which left the Argentinian with no other choice but to leave and sign for PSG. ‘If there was no money for Messi, how did they pay 55 million for Ferran?’And after many months of explaining, president Laporta was again speaking about that moment in his recent interview for the Barca TV. Maybe it was because former Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman gave his first interview after being fired in which he pointed out that he was being told that there is no money for Messi, but the club did sign Ferran Torres for a huge sum just months later. „It was painful. If I take stock, it is the saddest decision of all and I would never have wanted to make it, but I am not sorry either because I wanted to put the institution ahead of everything, even ahead of coaches and the best player in history. And we had to do it. Because the situation we inherited is what it was. And due to a lot of will and intentionality we had, we came across a reality. It might seem that there was nothing afterwards, but those of us who love Barca know that history continues and with work and well-thought-out decisions, we can continue on the path of success“ said Laporta to the club televison, per Mundo Deportivo. The Gunners remember their $33million-defender – but will they play him?The Catalonians president also praised new coach Xavi, which is always a good free marketing, since former Barca midfielder renewed this team and was Laporta’s first choice to replace Koeman. And while the Dutchman accused the president of lying that he won’t sign Xavi because he was unexperienced, Laporta stated that his guts told him to hire the Spanish tactician way earlier. „I would have done it before. It’s clear to me. I should have listened to my intuition but in life you can’t listen to intuitions. You have to take into account many situations. I’m sure no decision is perfect but I didn’t, I made another decision according to other circumstances. And in the end the decision was good because we have improved. I was sure that one day he would be the coach and hopefully he would be the president with me. Xavi is responding amply, magnificently well. He knows the club, he loves it, he respects decisions, he has personality so as not to be influenced, he is very clear about how we should play and he is a worker. I am very satisfied to have a coach like him, for many years. I am convinced that he will give us many joys“ said Laporta.
