Bartomeu claims that it was possible to renew Messi’s contract at Barcelona.

The departure of Lionel Messi from Barcelona in 2021 remains a hot topic of debate, especially now that new revelations are emerging about the club’s financial situation. In a recent interview with the newspaper ARA, former Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu made explosive statements that shed light on the crisis that led the Argentine star to sign with Paris Saint-Germain. Bartomeu argues that if the new administration had acted correctly, renewing Messi’s contract would not only have been feasible, but also a realistic expectation.

“If they had done what they should have, it would have been absolutely possible to renew Messi’s contract and make signings,” Bartomeu stated, challenging the prevailing narrative that places the blame for Messi’s departure on his management. This shift of blame is accompanied by a sharp criticism of the club’s current leadership. The former executive argues that the new management has exacerbated financial problems, inflating the institution’s losses to an impressive 555 million euros.

Bartomeu goes further by stating that the responsibility for the situation does not lie solely with the legacy he left behind, but rather with the decisions made by the new administration regarding financial fair play. He explains that, following the presentation of the financial data, LaLiga decided to conduct an additional audit, which revealed that Barcelona’s losses were, in fact, lower than initially reported, with provisions of 283 million euros that had not been taken into account. “But Barcelona decided to maintain its proposal and, as a result, LaLiga enforced the rules. The club suffered a penalty in financial fair play, from which it has not yet recovered,” he added, making it clear that the impact of recent decisions still resonates within the club.

Bartomeu’s revelations raise crucial questions about Barcelona’s financial sustainability and the club’s future in an increasingly challenging competitive landscape. The departure of Messi, one of the greatest players of all time, was not only a sporting loss but also a signal that the club may be on a dangerous trajectory if it does not effectively address its financial issues.

Thus, as Barcelona attempts to regain its prestige and financial stability, Bartomeu’s words resonate as a reminder of the complexities of managing one of the world’s most iconic clubs. The Messi saga continues to be a chapter that not only captivates fans but also highlights the challenges that clubs face in the modern era of football.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.