-
News
- 3 hours ago
Lionel Messi: Old Barcelona wounds reopened by new contract claim
Robin Bairner
- 30 Mar 2026 11:47 BST
- 7 min read
Feature
Barcelona have been told that they could “easily” have offered Lionel Messi a new contract in 2021 as opposed to seeing him leave in tears on a free transfer for PSG.
Former president Josep Bartomeu has claimed that Messi’s departure from Camp Nou was a political choice, reopening a wound from a chapter of the club’s history that continues to cast a cloud over the current board.
President Joan Laporta was in charge when the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner made his historic departure, claiming that it was no longer possible for the Catalans to retain the greatest player in their history.
It is the latest chapter in the ongoing battle between Barca’s president and his predecessor – a very public fight in which Messi remains a central character.
Laporta chose not to re-sign Messi – Bartomeu
“If they had done what they were supposed to do, they could have easily renewed Leo Messi's contract and signed players,” Bartomeu claimed in an interview with Diari ARA.
“It wasn't the fault of the previous administration, but rather of 'fair play' regulations because the new board inflated the losses to €555 million.
Current ETV
Lionel Messi
F (R)
Inter Miami
Lionel Messi
F (R)
Inter Miami
ETV Range
€12.5M - €15.3M
“When La Liga received the financial statements, they decided to conduct a second audit and determined that the losses weren't as high as they appeared, given that there were provisions worth €283m.
“But Barca decided to maintain its stance, La Liga applied the regulations, and the club lost a 'fair play' rating that, to this day, it still hasn't recovered.”
‘Messi was underpaid’ – Bartomeu defends €555m Barcelona contract
It was Bartomeu who negotiated Messi’s final Barcelona contract, which was worth more than €555 million over four years, according to El Mundo.
The scale of this deal has often been a point of criticism towards the former president, particularly from Laporta.
Bartomeu, though, has defended himself.
“Messi was underpaid for what he gave, both on and off the pitch,” he continued.
“He would have loved to be involved in the squad's renewal, with these young players we have now, who are also part of this famous legacy… but he was released and I couldn’t happen.”
Laporta and Bartomeu: A fierce rivalry
The acrimony between Laporta and Bartomeu has stemmed from a long-running battle over the direction and finances over the club. It grew particularly during the presidency of Bartomeu, when Laporta accused him of “destroying” Barcelona.
Once Laporta was back in charge at Camp Nou, the criticism intensified. He claimed the club have been led into a “dramatic” and “worrying” financial state by the previous board, with the debt reported at €1.35 billion.
Bartomeu hit back, indicating that his leadership had been “serious and responsible”, and claimed that Laporta had not acted in the club’s interest over an out-of-court settlement with Neymar that ended a legal dispute with the former Barcelona star.
Lionel Messi: Laporta’s weak spot
Messi, who now plays for Inter Miami in MLS, has proven a particularly sore point for Laporta as his relationship with Barcelona’s greatest player is weak, and this is an issue that Bartomeu seems determined to hurt the president on.
Prior to the recent election, which confirmed Laporta’s leadership of the Blaugrana, Xavi had revealed that Messi had agreed to return to the club in 2023.
“Laporta doesn’t tell the truth there either. Leo was signed. In January 2023, after becoming world champion, we contacted him and he tells me that he is excited to return and I see him,” the former Barca coach told La Vanguardia.
“Laporta begun negotiating the contract with Leo’s father and we had the green light from La Liga, but it is the president who backed out on everything.
“Laporta told me that if Leo came back, there would be a wage war and he couldn’t afford that. And then suddenly Leo stopped picking up the phone because on the other hand they had told him that it could not be done.
“My interest is to tell the truth, which is that Messi is never returning to Barcelona simply because Laporta doesn’t want that - it’s not because of La Liga or Jorge Messi asking for money, that’s all a lie.”
What has Laporta said about Messi’s Barcelona return?
Publicly, Laporta has been eager to give the impression that he is eager to heal any issues with the Messi camp.
“The Messi topic makes me sad. I’m a Barca fan, but above everything is the institution. If I were a member, I would understand what the president did for the good of the club,” Laporta told RTVE Catalunya in December.
“I signed Messi’s first contract when he was 16. What we experienced with him is one of the most glorious periods in Barca’s history, if not the most. He deserves a tribute, a statue, full recognition.
“It also depends on the other side. I am willing to fix anything. Messi has given a lot to Barca, and Barca has given a lot to him. I hope we meet again someday.”
Messi rift ongoing
Messi has shown little sign of patching up his relationship with Laporta, who he felt disrespected him for suggesting that he could have stayed at the club if he had offered to play for free.
“Never at any moment did they ask me to play for free. They asked me to reduce my salary by 50% and I did it without any problem. We were willing to help the club more. My desire and that of my family was to stay in Barcelona,” he told Sport (via ESPN)
“No one asked me to play for free, but at the same time, the president's words were inappropriate. It hurt because I don't think there was any need to say that.
“It's like taking the ball from you and not accepting the responsibility or taking charge of things. That makes people think and generates doubts that I don't think I deserve.”
Messi remains Laporta’s biggest Barcelona failure, and Bartomeu knows it.
Related stories:
Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Man Utd confirmation, Real Madrid's next signing, Bastoni truth
Historic Lamine Yamal bid prepared: Barcelona faced with €350m decision
The FootballTransfers app
Check out FootballTransfers' new app for all of football's big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.
The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:
