delancey
Senior Member
It is true that Messi was already longing to leave the club one year earlier. There was certainly beef between Messi and Bartomeu, so much so that he tried to force a free transfer from his childhood club (we formed him). That tension carried over into the Laporta era. So Catalina is right, it was not only about money. But it was still an important factor in his decision. I doubt any other club in the world would have paid him more than PSG. Only Bartomeu, perhaps. 😅
Messi had most likely already held contract negotiations with PSG before it was even announced that he was leaving us. Hence why the signing was finalized so quickly. That also means that he always had a salary benchmark comparison during contract negotiations with us.
Also, I have to say that I see things a bit differently when it comes to this whole idea that no one could possibly have asked Messi to play for free. If anyone could have done so, it is us! The way I see it, He would have earned a billion (insert his total earnings) over a 22 year period instead of a 21 year period, in order to help his club out during difficult times. It seldom gets mentioned how Messi benefitted from playing at Barcelona. Truth is, both benefitted tremendously from one another during a 21 year period. Match made in Heaven! That should command respect and gratitude from both parties.
Finally, some say that we never asked him to play for free. Did Messi offer us to play for free? When we want something, we find a solution. But yes, there is more to it than money, as Catalina pointed out. But he is making fat stacks at PSG, and I doubt anyone would or could match it.
Messi had most likely already held contract negotiations with PSG before it was even announced that he was leaving us. Hence why the signing was finalized so quickly. That also means that he always had a salary benchmark comparison during contract negotiations with us.
Also, I have to say that I see things a bit differently when it comes to this whole idea that no one could possibly have asked Messi to play for free. If anyone could have done so, it is us! The way I see it, He would have earned a billion (insert his total earnings) over a 22 year period instead of a 21 year period, in order to help his club out during difficult times. It seldom gets mentioned how Messi benefitted from playing at Barcelona. Truth is, both benefitted tremendously from one another during a 21 year period. Match made in Heaven! That should command respect and gratitude from both parties.
Finally, some say that we never asked him to play for free. Did Messi offer us to play for free? When we want something, we find a solution. But yes, there is more to it than money, as Catalina pointed out. But he is making fat stacks at PSG, and I doubt anyone would or could match it.
