‘Would Have Led Barcelona To Ruin’: Ex-President Joan Gaspart On Lionel Messi’s Exit

Former Barcelona President Joan Gaspart has shared his thoughts about Lionel Messi’s departure from the Spanish club in 2021. During his time at the helm, Gaspart might not have witnessed the prime of Messi. He, however, was well aware of the talent and skills of the Argentine superstar. Messi joined the La Masia Academy at the age of 13 and made his debut for the Barcelona senior team four years later in October 2004. Meanwhile, Gaspart served the role of the club president from July 2000 to February 2003.

In a recent interview on Onda Cero’s Radioestadio Noche program, Joan Gaspart said that if he had the power, he would have done anything and everything to keep Messi at Barcelona. “I would have led Barcelona to absolute ruin so that Messi would have stayed,” the Spanish businessman said, as quoted by Marca.

Gaspart further acknowledged the club’s financial condition at that point in time. The Barcelona hierarchy had to end the long-standing tie with Lionel Messi to manage the wage structure. Referring to the topic, Gaspart said, “Laporta wanted Messi to stay but it was the economic terms that prevented it.”

Despite leaving the club long ago, Joan Gaspart still remains a die-hard Barcelona fan. “A cule does not stop being cule. It is a disease that has no cure, it is cured the day you die,” he said on the podcast. Gaspart further spoke about current manager Xavi Hernandez, who confirmed his decision to stay at the club till 2025 a few days ago.

The former Barcelona midfielder, however, courted controversies after making a bold comment about the club’s current financial condition. Xavi claimed that the shortage of funds has restricted them from completing the desired transfers like the other big clubs in recent times.

The statement seems to have not gone down well with Joan Gaspart, who said, “I didn’t like the comment Xavi Hernandez made about the future. I respect everyone’s freedom of expression but Xavi as a coach and as a man of the future has to have a realistic and at the same time optimistic view. Xavi himself, who is very much a Barcelona fan, must also give his opinion on what is best for Barcelona.”

Barcelona have failed to achieve anything significant this season. They finished second in the La Liga table, losing the title to arch-rivals Real Madrid. Barcelona could reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League where Paris Saint Germain beat them to knock out of the competition.