ToranagaSama
Active member
Emili Rousaud (former board member under Bartomeu): "The problem at Barça was that they had the best player in the world, and he was the only one who covered his salary through the revenue he generated for the club. It was impossible to question his salary, because he simply deserved it."
"But there was pressure from Leo's entourage, from Jordi Alba, Piqué and Busquets, and salaries had to be raised for everyone under pressure on the president."
"This way, Leo's needs were met, and it led to an unreasonable wage inflation. Not because Piqué wasn't a good defender, but because he was the best defender in the world and the highest-paid."
"But the model was working. Every company needs a certain level of fairness in salaries, but that balance was broken, then the pandemic hit and revenues collapsed sharply."
"The players did not want to lower their salaries. That made me feel a bit ashamed as a socio, not as a director. They didn’t give up a single euro."
Shame on you Messi
No wonder club suffered for a decade if this is how club executives evaluated things. Guy was finished by 2012 after Puyol retired, had a little renaissance with Lucho due to the front 6 dominance and then turned into a total and permanent clown from 2016 onwards. Should have been sold in 2017 at the latest yet he made it until 2022. Doesn't even make sense, we benched bigger legends like Xavi and Iniesta quicker than that. Xavi declined from 2012 onwards (where he dominated the Euro Cup final against Italy) and by 2014 Rakitic already took his place. Yet the likes of Pique, Busquets, Alba terrorized for half a decade after turning into total garbage bags. Not only that, let's give them raises as well.
Amigos must have had video evidence of Bartomeu getting golden showered by cheap hookers or something. No other explanation.