Real Madrid allowed Cristiano Ronaldo to leave for just 100 million euros in the summer but Barcelona feel they would have acted differently had Lionel Messi been placed in the same scenario.
Club vice-president Josep Vives addressed the hypothetical on Thursday.
"I cannot imagine that situation, in which Messi doesn't stay with us," Vives told reporters on the pre-season tour of North America.
"I am already feeling nervous because there have been so many days without football. I cannot imagine that situation happening here."
The spokesperson for the board also explained why the Barcelona women's team travelled in economy on the flight to the States, behind the men's team in first class.
"We regret that there was a controversy for a simple matter: when the club hired the chartered flight, it was not expected that the women's team would travel with the men's team," Vives continued. "Those were the seats that were there.
"They traveled in comfort, as they said. Now, in internal flights, everyone will travel first class. I think we should value the club's commitment to women's sport.
"We have professionalised the women's team, we want to make it a top level team in Europe and we are working for equality in many fields.
"We believe that generating a controversy over an issue like this is trying to attack us."
Wednesday evening saw Malcom arrive in Portland to join his new teammates and Vives stated why he has no regrets over the manner of the winger's signing.
"We are very calm with this signing," he added. "We have acted in the correct manner.
"There was agreement between all parties. We cannot feel guilty for having signed a player with his talent."
Shriyansh
166
Messi has release clause of €700m ,no team in this planet could afford signing him and he is loyal to his Barcelona family and fans
FootballKingCR7
119
A Legend in Chains I'm sure Messi has thought about leaving to extend his legacy elsewhere and prove his superiority in another league as Ronaldo has done. I get the feeling that he has no option and is probably never allowed to.
Tendeklopy
73
loyalty....Messi is paying back to a club that made him who he is today...nobody agreed to pay for his growth hormone except Barca so i feel hes paying them back for their generosity...and that could only be staying at Barca for the rest of his carrier...never mind those who believe playing for different leagues makes you the best bcoz theres a lot of players who v played in so many leagues but they v failed to make it to your level....so stay put MESSI we will need you till the evening of your carrier...BIG UP MESSI
Saraswotimessi
56
I believe in messi..
Coslpyz
52
Messi leaving Barça is not going to make him better than he has made himself. There are two great players in our generation no doubt. Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, both of which have different ways of achieving in terms of team selection, style of play, motivation, behavior, character and integrity. Ronaldo travels places to make the world know he is a great player however Messi stays at one place and the world sees him as a great player. so tell me who has to prove himself to world? as I said both are great players but Messi is just Greater than Ronaldo.
Jackie7fggtt
22
cr7 himself cut off the price so he can leave because he want to enjoy another challenge that's it even i can't imagine barca without leo but ronaldo started from sporting ➡️Man utd➡️Real madrid➡️juve he is moving with his wish so let it be we r lucky can't miss the la liga and eager to watch seriea A this time 🔥❤