Internet Desk: Josep Maria Bartomeu gave an extensive press conference in order to assess the year as they are reaching its conclusion. During 117 minutes he responded to questions from all the accredited media outlets with a large part of the questions focusing on the figure of Leo Messi and his contract renewal, with discussions planned for the next few months.
The President recognised that “Messi has been the best player in the history of football and we will put all our efforts into keeping him as this is his home. If he is the best in the world, it is logical that he is the best in all areas.”
Bartomeu was very optimistic about the chances of the Argentinian staying with his lifelong club as he is convinced Messi himself wants to stay. “He is happy here, he was brought up here in the academy and he is one more Catalan, he likes the city and these are his colours. It would be a story to tell future generations, that the best player in the world spent his career here and following his retirement he will continue to be linked to the Club.”
The President has confirmed what the Sporting Vice President, Jordi Mestre, said about wanting to complete the renewal in the first trimester of 2017. “It is what we hope for and what we will work towards. Ideally it will happen like this but we have time.”
Barça’s President answered a plethora of questions about Messi and whether he will remain at the Club. Bartomeu believes that the problems the Argentinian has had with his tax won’t influence his decision to stay and the President arduously defended Barça’s star player. He believes the prison sentence imposed on Messi and his father is completely unjust: “I think it is an error to give prison sentences. We shouldn’t criminalise the players, they are footballers and when they sign professional contracts they put their trust in their financial advisors. The trial and what was said about it make no sense.”
Bartomeu criticised the “legal insecurity” which football is currently experiencing due to the changes in fiscal rules which are creating lots of confusion and worry amongst footballers and their advisors. “It can’t be possible that everyone gets it wrong, I don’t believe it. We are talking about lots of players. You can’t change the criteria and the interpreation of the rules and go back. We need rules that can be followed and if the interpretation changes it shouldn’t be applied retrospectively it should be applied from that moment onwards.”
On the subject of Messi and the Ballon d’Or, the President questioned whether Ronaldo was a more worthy winner: “A lot of people have said this, not just me, the Ballon d’Or should be Messi’s every year as he is the best player in the history of football. There are other good players but Messi is undoubtedly number one.”
With inputs from IANS.