Laporta betrayed Messi, says former Espai Barca project member

While the world reels from the news of Lionel Messi’s unexpected and upsetting departure, drama continues at Barcelona and the repercussions of the Argentine’s exit. Jaume Llopis, a member of the Espai Barca project (the construction of a new stadium) has subsequently resigned.

Llopis has not taken kindly to the events of the past few days and has been very vocal in expressing his disappointment of president Joan Laporta. He called out the president in an interview with El Transistor and voiced his agitation at all things Messi.

“I resigned because of my disappointment with Laporta and to have the freedom to express my opinion on everything I think about Messi,” Llopis began.

He then stated his shock at Laporta’s demeanor on the day of Messi’s farewell: “Laporta was very disrespectful that the day Messi leaves, he is seen at a meal toasting with Florentino and Agnelli in the most famous restaurant in Barcelona.”

“It has been a perfect maneuver of the Florentino Pérez war with Tebas for Real Madrid and here who loses is FC Barcelona because Messi is a Barça heritage that has been lost because they have fired him,” he added.

On Barcelona’s debt, he said: “Barça’s debt of 143 million is because three players, who between their salaries and their contracts cost €1 billion, such as Coutinho, Griezmann and Dembelé. There is Barça’s debt, not because of Messi. For every euro Leo he earns, he generates three.”

Llopis also previously spoke to Cadena SER program El Larguero, where he was visibly upset and slammed the club president and his CEO Ferran Reverter, implying simultaneously that the European Super League served as a major driving force in kicking Messi out.

“We’ll see if Barça is capable of lowering the wage bill. The only player who has agreed to do so is Piqué. The others, not one,” he said.

Llopis then accused the president for being pressured into taking such a decision: “Barça’s CEO threatened Laporta with resignation if he signed with CVC. Between the CEO and Florentino, they convinced Laporta that he has to kick Messi out and not sign with CVC.”

“Did Laporta betray Messi? Yes. And the fans? Also yes,” he concluded.