Lionel Messi is staying at Barcelona and Julio Maldonado 'Maldini' believes that club president Josep Maria Bartomeu deserves praise for standing firm and ensuring that the star forward remained at the Camp Nou.
The player wanted to leave, but the president wouldn't allow him to and MARCA analyst Maldini believes this is what Bartomeu had to do.
"Messi staying in LaLiga is a magnificent piece of news for Barcelona and for LaLiga," he said after Friday's announcement.
"From Messi's point of view, it's clear that he wanted to go and he hasn't left because he couldn't leave, not because he didn't want to.
"There was no club that really could push for taking Barcelona to court over this.
"Messi didn't have any real possibility of leaving, given how Barcelona responded to this.
"I think Bartomeu did well and did what any president of a club like Barcelona should, doing everything possible to keep his star.
"He did the best for the club.
"You can like or not the manner of it.
"But I think Bartomeu has done what was best for the club, with Messi staying at Barcelona being fundamental for the club for next season.
"Messi will fight 100 percent in every match, as always.
"So, Barcelona will be a lot better next season with Messi than without Messi.
"People will enjoy Messi's goals again and all this will be pushed to the background."