‘It is not going to be an obstacle’: Ex-Barcelona chief says membership will compete with out Messi – however warns it’s ‘on brink of chapter’

Joan Laporta, the president throughout a few of Barcelona’s biggest successes between 2003 and 2010, has claimed that his proposed new premiership would transfer on with out Lionel Messi and faces a essential battle to maintain the membership afloat.

Politician Laporta stated he had the essential belief of Messi due to his earlier management of the membership, when the striker broke into the primary staff, revolutionary supervisor Pep Guardiola was appointed and Barca received two Champions League titles between 2003 and 2010.

Now 58, the Catalonian has admitted that Messi has been “repeatedly lied to” and argued that he might hold the all-time Barcelona high scorer on the membership whereas rescuing the Spanish giants from monetary destroy.

“If Messi says no to the [contract] renewal, we are going to take it with [grace] and we should transfer on,” stated Laporta, who’s hoping to develop into president once more in subsequent month’s elections.

“It is not going to be an obstacle for us. We will definitely make the membership aggressive by beginning a brand new section in historical past.”

Laporta confused that Ansu Fati, the 18-year-old sensation whose 5 objectives in ten matches this season have given him a a lot greater goals-per-game ratio that Messi and Antoine Greizmann, wouldn’t be a direct successor to the Argentina legend.

“I need to be clear that Ansu Fati isn’t the ‘new Messi’,” he emphasised. “To say that could be a mistake.

“Typically, when you skip a couple of steps, you do not make contribution to a footballer’s profession.

“Ansu Fati has an excellent pure expertise, it’s true, however he have to be accompanied and helped in his progress path – similar to we did with Leo, Pedro or Sergi Roberto.”

Regardless of his insistence that his plans would proceed with or with out Messi’s departure on the finish of this season, Laporta confirmed shades of his political expertise by declaring that he was “certain” Messi “desires to proceed” at his boyhood membership, including that he couldn’t “see Messi in a shirt that is not Barca’s”.

“[The club] have repeatedly lied to him and, on high of that, issues have not gone as everybody wished,” Laporta instructed ESPN. “He’s at a degree in his profession the place he nonetheless desires to achieve success and win titles.

“The story between him and the membership is so lovely that the incoming president is obliged to ensure it continues.

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“The membership getting ready to chapter. That is among the the reason why I’m operating. I did the identical in 2003 to show round a fragile scenario. The magnitude is far greater this time however the construction is similar.

“Together with turning across the membership’s monetary scenario, the precedence is to make a proposal to Lionel that convinces him to remain. I hope I arrive in time. And I’ve a bonus: Messi’s belief.

“He is aware of the provide I make will likely be actual and I’ll fulfil it. I believe that can assist loads and is a bonus over the opposite candidates.”

“The scenario is tough however, regardless of every part, we’re [the football club] that generates probably the most income. However we should discover socios [club members] working in sure areas that may assist us generate much more.”

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