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Could Lionel Messi have stayed in Barcelona following Antoine Griezmann's exit? Joan Laporta clarifies

Lionel Messi has moved to PSG from Barcelona and has begun his post-Barcelona career. However, with Antoine Griezmann gone from Barca, could he have stayed back? Here's what Joan Laporta says.

Could Lionel Messi have stayed in Barcelona following Antoine Griezmann's exit? Joan Laporta clarifies-ayh
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Barcelona, First Published Sep 7, 2021, 1:36 PM IST

Argentine superstar Lionel Messi has begun his new life and career in Paris as he plays for the French giant Paris Saint-Germain. Fans are yet to get over the fact that his illustrious career with Barcelona is over.

Meanwhile, Barca has undergone a considerable reduction in the pay of its players, besides letting go of some highly paid players, including Antoine Griezmann. However, some are wondering if Messi could have stayed at Camp Nou following the Frenchman's exit.

Clarifying on the same, Barca president Joan Laporta has pronounced that Messi's situation at Camp Nou wouldn't have changed even after the departure of Griezmann, reports Goal. He acclaimed that the club had been warned to sign the CVC loan deal or cut down the pay structure by letting go of highly paid players.

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Could Lionel Messi have stayed in Barcelona following Antoine Griezmann's exit? Joan Laporta clarifies-ayh

Laporta further declared that while there was a verbal agreement between the club and Messi that La Liga accepted, it wouldn't have happened without the CVC loan. Also, with no solution to the situation in sight, Barca eventually decided to end it by letting go of its legendary talisman.

However, he assured that it was essential to reduce the pay structure to be more ambitious in the future. He admitted that the situation was unforeseen, and while he saw the Argentine play for PSG in his debut game, it was even more unacceptable to see his club legend don the shirt of some other club.

Nevertheless, Laporta is happy with the pay structure at the club now and has appreciated the club executives and the financial department for working tirelessly and efficiently. He also credited the senior players for showing faith in the club and expecting them to keep going this season.

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