Former Barcelona president opens up on Messi exit and Negreira case: ‘The biggest mistake Laporta made’

Former Barcelona president opens up on Messi exit and Negreira case: ‘The biggest mistake Laporta made’ Josep Maria Bartomeu has always been a sketchy figure at Barcelona. It was under his presidency that the club went into financial turmoil. While his replacement, Joan Laporta, later tried to steady the ship, he wasn’t able to stop Lionel Messi from leaving the club. In an interview with 365Scores (h/t AS ), Bartomeu has offered his side of the story, talking about Messi’s exit as well as the Negreira case. What Bartomeu said about Messi’s exit Bartomeu did not hold back when discussing Messi’s exit from the Camp Nou, laying the blame squarely at the feet of his successor, Laporta. “I love Messi very much. When I was president of the club, he represented immense value for all of us. “In my opinion, Messi’s departure from Barcelona was the biggest mistake Joan Laporta made, because Messi is not just a footballer; he is a unique global brand,” he said. Bartomeu has criticised Laporta for Messi’s exit. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) This is not the first time Bartomeu has criticised Laporta for Messi’s exit, even though the financial turmoil that led to the Argentine’s exit originated during his own presidential tenure. The former president insisted he would have done everything in his power to keep the Argentine at the club until the end of his career. “If I had been in charge of the club at that time, I would never have allowed him to leave. I would have renewed his contract so that he would remain at Barcelona until the end of his career. “ His departure was a very hard blow and very sad news for the members and sponsors,” he added. Bartomeu also stressed that Messi’s bond with the club endures. “Messi will always be an ambassador for Barcelona throughout the world because he deeply loves the club, and he should have stayed.” What Bartomeu said about the Negreira case Bartomeu was equally clear when addressing the Negreira case, in which Barcelona have faced accusations relating to payments made to the former vice-president of the Technical Committee of Referees. “Barcelona never bribed referees. That is completely false and entirely unfounded. Those spreading these rumours are saying things that don’t correspond to reality. In the end, only the courts will make the final decision on this matter,” he stated. “I have always firmly believed in the importance of respecting referees and all their decisions, because they are an essential and inseparable part of football. “ Big clubs must always set an example for everyone in how they interact with the sport as a whole,” he added. Former Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images) High praise for Flick Bartomeu also offered his thoughts on Hansi Flick, praising the German for his work at Barcelona while urging the board to keep faith on the former Bayern Munich manager. “Flick is doing an extraordinary job with the team. His success in winning the league title consecutively reflects the quality of collective work in modern football. “He is a long-term manager, and I advise the current board to continue backing him and giving him their full support,” he said. Bartomeu was particularly impressed by Flick’s ability to deliver results while integrating young talent. “Despite the departure of many big stars, he is achieving spectacular results with the young players. Barcelona is clearly evolving under his leadership. “I believe Flick will stay for many years because he represents the project with which we aspire to win the Champions League.” Reflecting on the Neymar era Bartomeu also talked about the sale of Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain and the subsequent signings. “Paris Saint-Germain paid Neymar’s release clause, which at the time was the highest figure in football history. “ After he left, we signed Ousmane Dembele, whom I consider the best player in the world today, and we also brought in Antoine Griezmann,” he explained. Finally, Bartomeu addressed suggestions that Messi had pushed for Neymar’s return. “Messi thoroughly enjoyed playing alongside Neymar, and they had an excellent relationship both on and off the field. “However, at Barcelona, signings are never decided based on the wishes of a single player; there are many economic and sporting factors that determine any new addition,” he concluded.