Why is Lionel Messi leaving Barcelona?

The departure of Lionel Messi from Barcelona has turned La Liga upside down. The league already suffered a sharp decline in viewership after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo. However, losing Messi will be much, much worse for the Spanish top flight.

As a result, it only makes sense for Barcelona’s president Joan Laporta to be transparent with the public about Messi’s complicated contract situation. According to him, Messi and Barcelona had an agreement, but the La Liga rules stopped all of it.

Journalist Fabrizio Romano reported on an interview of Joan Laporta where the President revealed the details of Lionel Messi’s departure.

“Leo Messi wanted to STAY at Barcelona, he had an agreement to stay at Barça, and we wanted Leo to stay. I want to thank Leo’s camp and all people involved in the negotiations. Unfortunately, because of La Liga rules, we can’t proceed,” he said.

He made some scathing comments about the La Liga rules, and his relationship with the La Liga president Javier Tebas looks like it’s damaged beyond repair.

“Leo Messi is not happy. He wanted to stay at Barcelona, as we wanted to keep Messi here. But we can’t change the reality now. I wish Leo the best wherever he will go as next club,” Laporta reiterated.

When a reporter asked Laporta if they will re-sign Messi if Tebas and La Liga change the rules again, Laporta’s response was damning. “We can’t sell fake hopes to our fans. We have to move on. Barcelona will be above everything,” he concluded.

Lionel Messi might still find a way back to Barcelona

Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol gave his opinion on why this might be a smart move by Laporta to make Tebas change the rules. Laporta is hugely popular with the Barcelona fans, and ever since Barcelona announced Messi’s departure, the Cules have gathered outside the city.

It’s not impossible to see Tebas relenting to all the pressure, as both Laporta and Real Madrid president Florentino Perez don’t like him. Hence, this is just the beginning of the saga.

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