LaLiga president Javier Tebas defended Barcelona star Lionel Messi after the newspaper El Mundo published details of his big-money Camp Nou contract.
LaLiga president Javier Tebas has insisted that Barcelona's financial situation is because of the coronavirus pandemic and not Lionel Messi.
Spanish newspaper El Mundo reported on Sunday that the deal Messi signed in 2017 – due to expire at season's end – is worth more than 555 million euros over four years.
"Not Messi's fault": Tebas tweets support for Barcelona star
It comes after Messi attempted to leave Camp Nou prior to the 2020-21 campaign and amid Barça's financial woes caused by the fallout of the covid-19 crisis.
But Tebas wrote via Twitter: "Barcelona's delicate financial situation [like other big clubs] is not Messi's fault but the devastating effect of COVID.
"Without the pandemic, the income generated by the best player in history would prop up that expenditure. The sensationalism that surrounds the matter is unfair."
Messi scored 650th Barcelona goal in LaLiga win over Athletic
Messi, who has been heavily linked with Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain and Premier League giants Manchester City as his contract expires, scored his 650th Barça goal in Sunday's 2-1 LaLiga victory against Athletic Bilbao.
The six-time Ballon d'Or opened the scoring with a 20th-minute free-kick before Jordi Alba's own goal restored parity, though Griezmann secured maximum points 16 minutes from the end.
Messi has scored two direct free-kick goals from his last four attempts for Barcelona in all competitions, after scoring just one from his previous 62 attempts.
Of Messi's 650 goals for Barcelona, 49 of them have been direct free-kicks – 38 in LaLiga.
Messi has 12 goals and two assists in the league for Barça, who are second and 10 points adrift of leaders Atlético Madrid.
Ninacmpry
2
Of you'd say that Tebas... Afterall you are his fan boy
betbrst
0
If Messi was not bringing in so much financially, he would have been allowed to leave when he demanded to leave last summer (the Covid disaster was already ongoing and the club already had financial issues). Even at the risk of loosing Messi for free, Barcelona held on to him against his will. that should tell you what they stand to gain with him.
patabeikot
0
messi[ko][ko]
patabeikot
0
messi
JohnRahul
1
Barca fans can't admit to the fact that Messi is a goal digger and had ruin their Club to bankruptcy.
yeah this scumbag believes Barca will simply give him a huge contract without getting anything in return.
Vutacimn
1
Barca fans can't admit to the fact that Messi is a goal digger and had ruin their Club to bankruptcy.
Fuseini Suale
2
Messi in every article why ??
GJGREGJO
0
Are u 1 in Seria A
nailed it!
MobePoku
2
If he's the problem, why then don't Barça let him leave
Darkestknight
0
Are u 1 in Seria A
good question 🤔
Darkestknight
0
Not his fault when his salary covers half the Club's budget ! Great calculation ,!
and he gives back the club what he earns back
rutacirtu
1
Anyway Barca is not 1 in larliga so
What
baccens
1
Anyway Barca is not 1 in larliga so
Are u 1 in Seria A
Gbhortemhi
4
We all know you support him just to stay for many years, because Messi earns La Liga much money
Bundeilnru
1
they didn't say he demanded it they choose to pay him that amount
jonatzDjango
3
He generates a 3rd of Barcelona income. No other player has contributed to Barcelona's success on and off the pitch more than Messi other than Cryuff.
Semacisuy
0
If you mention someone's name in any event means something to do with it though denying it publicly
Moduyz
0
Not his fault when his salary covers half the Club's budget ! Great calculation ,!
rutacirtu
0
Anyway Barca is not 1 in larliga so
shawnsam890
0
Messi played alone and generate 1.2 billion? What about other teammates? Can football play alone without teammates?
better understand marketing kid. Messi is a brand and that brand has value. Messi attracts sponsors. And that benefits the club. If messi leaves then those sponsors will also leave. And in the end Barcelona suffers.
catdeltuy
5
remember when barcelona was coming 9th? and people were laughing and saying barcelona are not even going to make europe league ? where are those people? 🤔🤔🤔
GJGREGJO
1
Messi played alone and generate 1.2 billion? What about other teammates? Can football play alone without teammates?
Yeah, he don't have third parties in his sponsorships like Ronaldo, Neymar and all! So all his money gained from media, sellings and all have generated 1.2bn alone by Messi from 2016.. But Bartomeu threw it away
Oscar127
0
He has brain some while some people in this app and some medias don't got one!
[image]
Messi played alone and generate 1.2 billion? What about other teammates? Can football play alone without teammates?
GJGREGJO
10
He has brain some while some people in this app and some medias don't got one!
Sewips
1
Bye Messi hello Eng
Abjhon
1
Just like in a company or any department the high level employee have high salary. same rule here better you play better will be the salary
CriticalMind
3
Messi made billions for barcelona in his catalain logo the one claiming are few barca funs mostly are messi haters
NeonGrace
3
Of course he's not to blame... As much fun as it is to troll Messi as a Ronaldo fan, Messi has no fault here. Messi didn't force Barca to offer him a deal, They felt he's worth it and they presented him the deal. Every player would sign such a contract without even blinking twice. It was the board's decision, they are responsible for Barca's problems not Messi...
D10S_LM10
15
While haters are busy making noises pollution 🙄
Davichi
4
Of course Messi is not to blame, not even the virus. There has been mismanagement of funds over the years that led to this... although the current situation makes it worse, but if funds were properly managed, it won't get to this stage.
Sureshshettiyar
6
ITS COVID MAN .. DESTROYED EVERYONE'S WORK...