In September 2020, Messi publicly shared about the “war” with President Josep Maria Bartomeu and said that he had broken his promise and blatantly deceived him.
How did President Bartomeu deceive Lionel Messi?
In an exclusive interview with GOAL conducted in September 2023, Lionel Messi revealed the internal turmoil at Barcelona.
After a devastating 2-8 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarterfinals, El Pulga sent a fax to the club’s Board of Directors demanding to terminate the contract. Previously, President Josep Maria Bartomeu promised to give the striker the freedom to decide his future and leave if he wanted.
However, when receiving Messi’s request to leave, this President ‘turned his face’.
What did Messi reveal about being cheated on?
Messi really wanted to leave Barca for a long time because he believed he was no longer suitable for the team. However, his intentions were repeatedly ignored or promised by President Bartomeu.
He shared with GOAL : “I told everyone at the club, including the Chairman, about my desire to leave. I have intended to leave since the beginning of the year.”
“I think the club needs more young players, many new players. I think my time in Barcelona is over. It’s sad to think about it because I always wanted to hang my shoes here.”
“Last season was very forgettable as I encountered many problems in practice, in matches and in the locker room. There was a time when I felt I needed new ambitions.”
“He said I could decide my future when the season ended. And in the end, he didn’t keep his word.”
“Every time I expressed my desire to leave, the Chairman said: ‘Let’s talk about this later’ and ignored it.”
“Sending burofax (a reliable fax service used to send private and legal documents in the shortest possible time) is an official action to confirm that I want to leave. I have a 1 year renewal clause and don’t want to activate it.”
“If I don’t send the burofax, it’s as if nothing happened. Everyone will understand that I want to continue for another year.”
“The Board of Directors responded that I did not make a request before June 10. But again, Barca was playing at that time, so terminating the contract at that time was not reasonable.”
“In addition, as mentioned above, the Chairman always said that when the season ended, I would have the right to decide my future. However, he did not specify the date when the season ended.”
“I had intended to leave, however, I didn’t want to sue, I didn’t want to have to go to court against the club.”
