Messi deal was completed before La Liga said no: Laporta on Leo's exit

"We had no room for manoeuvre with Messi in the salary bill," Joan Laporta said, as quoted by Marca.

"When we saw that the solution was to accept the agreement with LaLiga, we made the decision.

"I believe in Messi's surroundings when they told me that they had nothing signed with PSG, he wanted to continue at Barca.

"When I said that Messi's renewal was progressing adequately, I was not lying, we had drawn up the contract and we had shaken hands. Then LaLiga said no."

Barcelona fans were stunned to learn in August that Messi would no longer play for the club. The emotion still hasn't fully worn off.

Source: Marca