Josep Maria Bartomeu talks Messi, Negreira case, his worst Barcelona mistake

Josep Maria Bartomeu talks Messi, Negreira case, his worst Barcelona mistake

Josep Maria Bartomeu is not a popular figure at Barcelona, at least not anymore, having been accused of multiple counts of corruption, which is coupled with the financial mismanagement of the club.

However, the former Barcelona president has never been shy about coming out in public to talk about his controversial time at the club.

In a recent interview with Cadena SER (h/t SPORT), Bartomeu talked about Messi’s time at the club and his eventual departure, as well as the Negreira case, among others.

On Messi’s stay and departure

Bartomeu was firm in his defence of the decision to keep Messi at the club despite the famous burofax requesting to leave.

“I’m very happy that Messi stayed with us; I would have kept him until the Qatar World Cup,” he said, adding that contract renewal talks had already been underway with the Argentine, who has recently purchased a stake in Spanish club Cornella.

“I tried to renew Leo Messi’s contract; it was essential to maintain our income level and because we were missing that player who brings a higher level of performance,” he added.

He also revealed that a move to Miami for both Messi and Luis Suarez had been discussed long before it eventually happened. “There had already been talk of a stint in Miami with both Messi and Luis Suarez,” he said.