Joan Laporta: Messi generates a third of Barca's income
The Argentine forward's contract information was leaked by El Mundo newspaper
Joan Laporta did not speak on Sunday about the Leo Messi contract leak but he did appear on RAC1 on Monday, where he was asked about it. Here are his key moments on the issue.
“I will do everything I can to keep Messi at Barca. I have indications he’s happy at Barca and he wants to stay, but he needs to trust in the sporting project, that Barcelona are competitive.”
“Yesterday I sent him a message to support him and tell him not to listen to the news because Barca fans want him to continue.”
“This news hurts because it damages Barca and without anyone in charge, these things happen. Barca’s situation is not conditioned by Leo’s contact. He generates more than he costs. The economic team have done a study and Messi generates a third of Barca’s total income.”
“What Messi generates is both sporting and emotional too, what he has done for us does not have a price.”
“Eight out of 10 shirts sold are Leo’s and the world’s interest also depends on Messi.”
“Without Leo we would not have won as much. The economic return exists. Leo represents 8.2 per cent of the club’s costs. A team with Leo always aspires to win it all. Messi is not only guided by money. We have to find an imaginative formula to keep him. He doesn’t prioritise Money and economically, if he stays, Messi will help. We have to make him an offer for the best player in history which is within the club’s possibilities.”
