Laporta on Messi: The relationship has deteriorated

Joan Laporta gave a lengthy press conference on Monday in which he mainly discussed Barcelona's finances, but he also gave an explanation regarding Lionel Messi's departure from the club.

Speaking for the first time since Messi's move to Paris Saint-Germain, Laporta tried to focus on the future and emphasised the need to turn the page.

The end of the Messi era at Barcelona

"I think it has been a successful relationship that has lasted many years and in the end it has deteriorated," Laporta admitted.

"His presentation felt strange. Like all Barcelona fans, I would have preferred to see him at Barcelona, but we have made the right decision because Barcelona is above everything.

"I wish him all the best, I like to see him happy, he deserves it. Now maybe we will be rivals and as rivals we have to deal with him."

Did the negotiations end well?

"I have seen some statements from Messi very much in line with what we have explained. The statements from both sides were along the same lines," Laporta noted.

"If we thought it could be done, it was because we only knew the figures from the previous board. We presented LaLiga with losses of 89 million [euros] that allowed us to do our best.

"When we see that LaLiga gave us expectations we were optimistic, but what we see in return is that we realise that it can't be done, despite the fact that we had shaken hands with Messi.

"Leo also had his time, but we saw that it could not happen, despite the fact that the player made many efforts to fit his contract into the salary cap. When we saw the magnitude of the [financial] disaster we saw that it could not be done.

"Both parties would have liked a different ending, but we have to accept that the idea we had at the beginning could not be fulfilled. One of the most beautiful stories in football, which normally do not last so long, has ended.

"I prefer to remember the good moments and not the bad ones. We are excited about the team and Leo looks happy in Paris."

Whistles at the Camp Nou and a cold embrace

"Messi was not whistled at the Camp Nou, what happened is that the fans defend Barcelona and know the unity that the team needs," Laporta said.

"As for the hug, in negotiations that both sides hoped would be fruitful, it didn't work out. There is mutual disappointment. I personally have the same esteem for him as I had previously, it's a pity it didn't end the way we wanted it to."