Barcelona president Joan Laporta laid several ghosts to rest by confirming that there was no way of keeping Lionel Messi. And Sergio Aguero, who only joined Barcelona this summer to be Messi’s teammate (football transfers), discussed his Paris Saint-Germain debut. So, among other football news on Messi, Aguero and Laporta talk about him in the wake of his Barcelona exit.
Football News on Messi – Aguero and Laporta Talk about Him
Aguero on Messi’s Debut: He Looked Lost
Barcelona newcomer Sergio Aguero has commented on Lionel Messi’s debut for Paris Saint-Germain.
Messi opened his PSG career by playing in a 4th Ligue 1 round clash against Reims (2:0).
The Argentine entered the pitch as a substitute for Neymar in the 66th minute without contributing to the team’s performance.
“He looked a bit lost on the pitch, but every time he touched the ball he did well,” Sergio Aguero said about this brief, introductory performance, as Diario Sport reports.
Laporta: Messi Could Not Have Stayed
Meanwhile, Barcelona’s acting president Joan Laporta has explained there was no way of keeping Lionel Messi at the club.
Due to his former club’s financial struggles, the Argentine star striker left Camp Nou after 21 years for Paris Saint-Germain.
“I’ve already explained what’s happened. There are objective data. Everyone can compare,” Laporta told the press, as per Marca.
“We were pressured to choose either to sign the CVC deal or not to meet the Financial Fair Play requirements.”
The president went on: “There was a pre-agreement and we had shaken hands. La Liga seemed to accept it but ended up rejecting.
“Messi could not have stayed even with Griezmann’s departure and salary reductions. But it is important that we lowered the salary cap – next year we can be more ambitious.
“I think we were both sad because the situation wasn’t what we wanted. I haven’t spoken to Messi ever since.”
Laporta then concluded: “I saw his debut for PSG and it was strange to see him at another team. I didn’t like seeing him in another shirt either.”
