Laporta Reveals Why Messi's Exit Was 'Best for Barcelona'

• Joan Laporta has insisted that allowing Lionel Messi to leave Barcelona was the best decision
• The Argentine joined the club's La Masia as a 13-year-old after his family allowed him to play
• The veteran signed for Paris Saint-Germain two years ago, ending his 21-years in Catalonia

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has said that not keeping Lionel Messi at Camp Nou was best for the club, as they were on the verge of financial ruin.

La Blaugrana were desperate to renew the 35-year-old's contract, following the expiration of his previous deal.

However, financial struggles in Catalonia made it impossible for the dribbling magician to extend his stay with the La Liga heavyweights.

Messi left the Camp Nou outfit for Paris Saint-Germain in June of 2021, calling an emotional end to his 21-year Barcelona career.

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Laporta has revealed that allowing the veteran to leave Barcelona was the best thing to happen to the club at the time, or the Catalan giants would have otherwise been financially crippled.

"I had to put Barca ahead of the best player in the history of football," the 60-year-old told Cadena SER, via GOAL. "In those moments of financial ruin, I could not retain him. I think it was the best for the club. Right now, he is a PSG player and I prefer not to talk about him."

Laporta to mend Messi relationship

Laporta has made it public that he feels 'indebted' to the Argentine superstar for his contributions to the club, and has pledged to bring him back to Camp Nou.

Now, journalist Achraf Ben Ayad claims that the Barcelona president will now silently work on mending his relationshi with Messi.

Laporta and the Argentine's relationship soured after the Barca chief claimed he had renewed the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner's contract, only to pull the rug from under him at the last minute.

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Messi's nine unbelievable demands

Sports Brief earlier reported that under the leadership of Josep Bartomeu, Barcelona were poised to renew Messi's contract for a further three years - until 2023.

According to a report by El Mundo, cited by Barca Universal, Messi then tabled several wishes if he was to stay with the club in 2020.

The website reported that the 35-year-old made nine stunning demands to Barcelona's chiefs before he would play another term at Camp Nou.