Real Madrid president Florentino Perez denies influence on Leo Messi move

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez said it was “impossible” he had any influence on Lionel Messi’s departure to Paris Saint Germain. He also wanted a rectification from Jaume Llopis, a former member of the Espai Barca commission.

“In light of the statements made by Jaume Llopis, a former member of the Espai Barça Commission, I would like to state the following: it is flatly false that I have been friends for a long time with the CEO of FC Barcelona, Ferran Reverter, since he is a person with whom I have met only twice in my life, once four months ago and the other last Saturday at the meeting that took place in Barcelona with president Joan Laporta and president Andrea Agnelli, when the official communication about Messi leaving had already taken place,” said Perez in a Real Madrid club statement.

"Therefore, it is impossible for me to have had any influence either on Messi's departure or on any other FC Barcelona decision. So, I hope that Jaume Llopis rectifies these statements that do not correspond to the truth as soon as possible.”