Laporta speaks out on Messi departure, Negreira case and Real Madrid tension – ‘I did what I had to do’
Laporta speaks out on Messi departure, Negreira case and Real Madrid tension – ‘I did what I had to do’ Barcelona president Joan Laporta has once again stepped into the spotlight, addressing some of the most sensitive topics surrounding the club in a recent interview with El Pais . From Lionel Messi’s emotional departure to ongoing tensions with Real Madrid, Laporta offered a direct and unapologetic perspective. One of the key topics was Messi’s exit in 2021 , a decision that continues to define the club’s modern era.
Laporta made it clear that, from his point of view, the move was necessary in order to rebuild the squad and secure Barcelona’s long-term future. “I did what I had to do. Leo was nearing the end of his career and we needed to build a new team.
“Would I have liked to build the new team with Leo’s help? Yes. We tried, but it wasn’t to be,” he began.
Messi’s legacy and future at Barcelona Despite the separation, Laporta left the door open for a future reconnection with the Argentine icon, both symbolically and emotionally. The Barcelona president emphasised Messi’s importance in the club’s history, placing him among the greatest figures to ever represent the Blaugrana. “He is a key player of his generation: Kubala, Cruyff and Messi.
He deserves a statue and a tribute match. Barça is his home. “The relationship in the future and the immediate present will be as Leo wants and as Barça wants.