Lionel Messi has hit out at Barcelona president Joan Laporta for hoping that he would 'stay and play for free' in order to help the Catalan club in the middle of their financial crisis.
The club could not afford to keep hold of their greatest ever player amid their unprecedented financial woes, with the club racking up more than £1billion in debt and recording a £409million loss for last season.
While Messi agreed to a 50 per cent wage cut, the club were still not able to find a way to keep him which resulted in the Argentine ending his 18-year affliation with the club to join Paris Saint-Germain on a free.
Laporta went on to sensationally admit in an interview last month that he had hoped Messi would stay and play for nothing – a suggestion that has 'hurt' the 34-year-old.
Speaking about his departure, Messi told Spanish newspaper Sport: 'The truth is that, as I explained when I left, I did everything possible to stay.
'I was never asked to play for free. I was asked to pay my salary with fifty percent. I did that without any problem. That's how I wanted to help Barcelona. It was my and my family's desire to stay in Barcelona. The president's words were really not okay. They hurt me.
'It felt like Laporta took the ball from me but then didn't know what to do with it. He just didn't have to say those things. Now people may think I've caused doubt. I don't deserve that.'
Messi went on to reveal that he hasn't spoken to Laporta since he left the Nou Camp – but revealed that he would return to the club at some point in the future.
'I've always said I'd like to come back and help the club in any way I could,' Messi added. 'I want to be useful, to help. So that it goes well with Barcelona.
'I think it would be nice to be technical director, but I'm not sure if I can get that role and if I can get it at Barca. But if there's an opportunity, I'm definitely open to it.
'I love Barcelona, really hope the club gets healthy again and continues to be one of the best in the world.'
Desmondeyum
224
How will I tell my children that no one else touched the ball again? 🤯
IBRAHIMLM10
185
😥
IbraahimSajjadh
131
Messi has to come out and explain how laporta is lying specially when you won election using Messi’s name..laporta might be actually worse than bartomeu
RoshanDhanrajani
114
we are culers and we will always be but all these things laporta has been doing like a true politician and not even respecting the man who is not only club's but all footballing world's biggest legend is really making to hate him more and more and those who are supporting laporta without thinking of what situation exactly is making me more sad ...... i would hope that someone like pique who has more character becomes president in future .. and also messi returns next season to barca to play for 2-3 seasons. i hope..
rohithirapur
105
Laporta used messi to win election 🤪
Desmondeyum
74
Nobody will ever match the level of Lionel Messi 🐐
Desmondeyum
73
Messi gets criticism for not performing good in 2021 yet he has 54 G/A in 51 games. And 3 UCL goals in 3 UCL games this season for PSG.
Johannes7
62
truly football fans they are not happy for his current form they want him to come back to his best form and make football good. I'm Ronaldo fan but I wish all the best bro💯
DeeLima_9
45
Hypocrite! Is Laporta currently working for free in Barcelona?
MadridMaldives
36
Laporta as president and his board members have given up their salary since Barça is in an unprecedented financial crisis and they are working completely free of charge? And you are expecting Messi to play for free when you cant work for the club for free?
Laedmnopr
32
Laporta used Messi to get elected as President and now Messi is exposing him.. Made fools of Barcelona board and fans..
Neurer
31
📅 𝗢𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗗𝗔𝗬: In 2003, Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first goal for Manchester United 🔴☝️ The first of many ⚽️
JohnRahul
24
He is still emotional from his move from Barcelona 🥺 We miss you legend.. hope you can win one more champions league!