Leo Messi’s departure from Barcelona sent shockwaves around the world of football, with many wondering how the club could’ve let their financial situation deteriorate to the point that they had to let their best ever player go.
While president Joan Laporta is said to have done his utmost to keep him at Barcelona, reports in Spain have emerged how one of Messi’s best friends in the game, Gerard Pique, actually advised the club to let him leave.
According to El Pais, when Laporta was looking at ways to keep Messi, Pique recommended his departure in order to balance the books.
Catalan newspaper Sport, also shared that view.
“Messi is hurt by some of his teammates because he thinks they didn’t support him enough,” Sport director Luis Mascaro sated. “He knows that Pique told Laporta that if Messi had to leave, it wouldn’t be a problem.”
