With Lionel Messi expected to sign a new contract at Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona president Joan Laporta has reiterated why he forced the Argentine to leave his boyhood club in 2021.
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Shockwaves were sent throughout Europe in August 2021 when Laporta, early in his second stint as president of the Catalan giants, made the decision to not offer Messi a new deal in Spain.
The Argentine had just returned from an extended break following his Copa America triumph in Brazil and was said to be shocked to discover his time at the Blaugrana had come to end.
Later, Laporta stated that the club were not in the financial position to afford a new contract for their all-time record goalscorer, and the 60-year-old has once again insisted he needed to put Barcelona before the individual.
"I had to put Barca ahead of the best player in the history of football," he said, according to 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.
"We are focused on Barca. Leo will always be part of our shield and I would like him to have a different ending than he did.
"There are several options, but it would be wrong if I said them. We have a relationship."
Messi has been tipped to return to Barcelona upon the expiration of his deal in Paris, but has reportedly instead chosen to commit to new terms in Ligue 1 until at least June 2024.
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The 35-year-old is back in training with the French champions following his 2022 FIFA World Cup heroics, with Christophe Galtier suggesting he will miss the side's cup encounter on Friday.
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