A new report from El Pais has revealed the circumstances that led to the departure of Lionel Messi from Barcelona.
The reports claim that the Argentine felt betrayed by the club that the contract renewal was not finalized despite there being an agreement between the two parties with defender Gerard Pique also implicated in the move.
Pique is said to have upset the Argentine talisman as he discovered a message from the veteran defender to president Joan Laporta which seemingly said that not renewing Messi would solve the club’s financial fair play issues.
Messi found out about a message from Piqué to Laporta. Piqué spoke with Laporta to tell him that the solution for Barça was not to renew Messi, telling him that: “Without Leo the issue of economic fair play will be settled.” Messi interpreted it as a betrayal.
— @el_pais pic.twitter.com/FDf2Hlwscc
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) February 15, 2022
The pair’s relationship has since become sour with the Spanish international not spotted with Messi when he dined with Xavi Hernandez and some other members of the team.
Messi was further angered by the defender when he lowered his wages as soon as the Argentine left the club as a similar move by the player earlier could have seen Barca renew Messi’s contract.
