Giuly: I Left Barca Because I Saw Messi's Display; Happy Laporta Was Re-elected

Giuly talked about his departure from Barcelona in an interview with Diario AS, saying that he left Barcelona because he saw Messi's performance.

How is life now?

Life is perfect, I enjoy football, watching the most exciting games, I am very happy. My life is complete.

Have you forgotten Barcelona?

No. Impossible to forget. How could I forget Barcelona! I won incredible championships with Barcelona and I am always happy to go back.

You had a great time on the legends team, didn't you?

Yes, very happy. Every time I play with them it's like a dream. Putting on the Barcelona jersey again and fighting side by side with my old teammates.

You once founded a company to help retired players avoid investment mistakes and provide them with financial advice. Are you still doing it?

Still doing it. I have talked to many retired players about this topic, but the situation is very complicated. Everyone has their own problems and we try our best to help them.

What are the days like after a player retires?

Very difficult. A 20-year career comes to an abrupt end, and many people have nothing to do in the years that follow. If you have no job and no future goals, it will be psychologically difficult to bear.

And the money can run out quickly.

Yes. Money must be managed carefully, because after your career ends, you may still have 40 years of life to live. You have to be careful in this regard...

How do you recall Rijkaard's Barcelona team, with Ronaldinho, Eto'o... They regained the club's passion.

I am still in contact with them. We have a group and keep each other updated. We will always be friends. We won a lot of championships and played very beautiful football.

You played a decisive role in Barcelona's second Champions League title, scoring a wonderful goal in the semi-final against Milan.

That was an incredible goal. From Ronaldinho's pass to my finish. That game was very sticky and the second leg was not easy either. We were under tremendous pressure in both games, just to get to the final. That goal was a relief for the club and for me, because thanks to it, we reached the final.

Messi's appearance was the trigger for your departure from Barcelona. Would it make you feel better than being replaced by Messi?

I see it very clearly. I had a year left on my contract at the time, but I chose to leave because when Messi came, I saw his strength and what he was doing in training. It's okay, that's life. He replaced me. I can calmly say: \"Messi replaced me.\" That's not a bad thing, is it? I have no grudges about this. The achievements he has achieved and the heights he has reached are incredible in my opinion.

You are a different style of player, very good at interspersing gaps.

The coach asked me to do that, and my strength was speed. I knew my style of play very well: speed, depth, and getting to the bottom. Then enjoy the game. At that time, there were also Ronaldinho and Eto'o to create more threats, as well as Xavi, Iniesta and Deco. Everyone has a clear role.

Deco once beat you with Porto in the Champions League final, but later you won Barcelona's second Champions League title together, against Arsenal. Did you think he would become a sporting director?

I didn't think so. Because he has a good relationship with the players, I thought he would eventually become an agent (which he did). But he is doing well at Barcelona. Everything is going well. I would rather see retired players as sporting directors than someone who doesn't understand football.

How do you rate President Laporta?

Very good! He is an incredible president. He trusts the players and the team, and he always supports you whenever you have a problem. I see him now as I did before. I am very happy that he won the election.

Yamal is playing in your former position now. Do you think he has the potential to win the Ballon d'Or?

Yes. He is at the best club, which will help him achieve his goals. He can win many championships with Barcelona, plus his own strength. He is a genius, although we shouldn't compare him to Messi. Lamine has to go his own way, but he does have the level to win the Ballon d'Or.

I saw in an interview that you didn't want to go to Montjuïc to watch Barcelona games before. Now you can go to Camp Nou.

I have deep memories of this stadium. I want to go back and enjoy it. I get goosebumps when I think of Camp Nou. And now it will become even more beautiful.

Do you think Flick's young team is capable of winning the Champions League?

Age is nothing. The important thing is the team. Winning the Champions League is very difficult; last year they were already amazing in the knockout match against Inter Milan. Learn from mistakes, but they have done well this year. The team is good and the coach is good. But I repeat, winning the Champions League is too difficult.