Former Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman talked about Messi's departure in an interview.
When Koeman was asked whether Messi's departure was expected, he replied: "Laporta told me: 'Tomorrow we have a meeting, we sign a renewal and Messi stays.' The next day Laporta called me and said: 'I see it as complicated.' And at night Leo left. Messi is Barcelona, he did so much for the club that he didn't deserve to leave like that."