Joan Laporta Exclusive: Barcelona president on re-signing Messi, being offered Ronaldo and avoiding bankruptcy
NEW YORK -- Barcelona have had an incredible summer so far. President Joan Laporta has overseen a dramatic financial recovery that has allowed freedom in the transfer market. The 26-time Spanish champions have spent around $130 million on Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Jules Kounde, with Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen also arriving on free transfers. And Ousmane Dembele re-signed for the club on a 40% pay cut after his contract ran down. Laporta still hopes to bring in two more players and resolve the future of Frenkie de Jong, with Barcelona hoping he'll half his salary. This is not only an urgent necessity but part of a wider aim to reduce the club's mass wage bill to $400 million. Manchester United have been pursuing the Dutch midfielder all summer and a sale is still not entirely ruled out. There remain some challenges, particularly around registering new players under LaLiga's stringent financial rules. But a new four-year sponsorship deal with Spotify, plus selling 25% of LaLiga TV rights to investment firm Sixth Street, has alleviated any fears of bankruptcy and allowed Xavi to strengthen his squad. Barcelona now enter the new season with a newfound confidence on and off the field, and their 1-0 preseason Clasico victory in Las Vegas will give fans hope they can win LaLiga and go far in the Champions League, too. In an exclusive interview with CBS Sports, Laporta gives Nico Cantor and myself his expectations ahead of the 2022-23 campaign and admits he'd love to re-sign Messi. The following Q&A has been lightly edited for clarity and flow. On a Messi return CBS Sports: Do you still feel under scrutiny for Messi's exit? Joan Laporta: I did what I had to do in order to put the institution above the best player in our history. I have known Messi since he was a kid and I love Leo. I feel in moral debt to Messi. He's the best player in our history and I will do my best in order to ensure he can have the best ending of his career with a Barça shirt on. I would like to bring him back. It will not be easy but I think with the correct strategy we could do it. I think Messi has been the most important player in our history. During a long period of success he was the leader. He was the one who excited our supporters. We will do our best to have Messi ending his career at Barcelona and being applauded by everyone. I feel in moral debt to Messi. He's the best player in our history and I will do my best in order to ensure he can have the best ending of his career with a Barça shirt on. Joan Laporta CBS Sports: So how likely is a Messi return? Laporta: As I have said, we have a moral debt to Leo. The end of Leo at Barcelona was not the best. It was a difficult time. We had to take a decision and put the club above the best player in our history. But I think we have to work now to have Messi end his career back wearing the shirt of Barcelona being applauded on every field that he plays. We will do our best to give him the ending he deserves. CBS Sports: Have you spoken to Messi to see if he has an appetite to return? Laporta: This is an idea and our motto. All I can say is I will do my best -- that's all. CBS Sports: Are you actively moving for Messi now or will you wait until after the World Cup? Laporta: Again, I am telling you this is a wish we have and I hope we can convert it to reality. We have a strategy to get him back to Barcelona. Barça loves Leo, the fans love Leo and I love him, too. I will do my best. CBS Sports: Would he have to come back on a pay cut? Laporta: We will see. Now is not the best moment to talk about this because he's a PSG player and has one more year on his contract and we must respect this. On being offered Ronaldo CBS Sports: Is it true before you signed Robert Lewandowski you were offered Cristiano Ronaldo? Laporta: Well, this type of story is all within the process of the summer window. There always appears a lot of news.
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