Messi’s Barcelona Exit Sparks Fresh Accusations Over Club’s Finances

Messi’s Barcelona Exit: A Renewed Debate Over Club Finances

Lionel Messi’s Barcelona exit has once again thrust the club’s financial management into the spotlight, as presidential candidate Xavier Vilajoana levels serious accusations against current president Joan Laporta. Vilajoana, a former Barcelona director and now a presidential hopeful, claims Laporta’s administration misled supporters about the true state of the club’s finances—potentially masking the real reasons behind Messi’s 2021 departure.

Record Debt and Transparency Demands

A newly released independent report, “Economic X-ray of FC Barcelona (2005-2025),” commissioned by Vilajoana and presented at Foment de Treball, paints a dire picture of Barcelona’s fiscal health. The report asserts that the club’s debt has soared to €4.12 billion—a 293% increase since 2021 and the highest ever seen in European football. This directly challenges Laporta’s narrative of economic recovery and stability.

Significantly, the report argues that even without the Espai Barca infrastructure project, operational and financial debts still top €1.3 billion—surpassing what Laporta inherited from previous president Josep Maria Bartomeu. Vilajoana contends that the club’s use of €929 million from asset sales, including TV rights and Barca Studios shares, merely covered daily operations instead of fostering long-term stability, calling the approach “deceptive and unsustainable.”

Accusations of Financial Manipulation

During the presentation, Vilajoana harshly criticized Laporta’s financial stewardship. He accused the board of covering up an increasingly fragile financial situation, stating, “Laporta has sold nearly €900 million of inherited assets in four years. Without those, accumulated losses would already exceed €1 billion, equaling the entire value of the current squad.”

According to the report, the club incorporated more than €380 million into its accounts without a real basis, altering the perception of debt and recovery. These actions, Vilajoana argues, do not solve the debt crisis but merely obscure it. “Pretending the numbers balance is not saving the club—it’s deceiving it,” he concluded.

Messi’s Departure: More Than Money?

One of the most explosive claims from Vilajoana is the suggestion that Messi’s Barcelona exit may not have been solely due to financial constraints. He called on Laporta to be transparent: “Messi’s departure was explained as a financial necessity, but I don’t see the evidence now. Let Laporta tell us the real reason Messi was let go. The club is Messi’s home, regardless of who is president.”

The report also highlights cuts to La Masia, Barcelona’s famed youth academy. Vilajoana emphasized that investment in La Masia was reduced from €40 million to €25 million during Laporta’s current term, a move he claims jeopardizes the club’s most vital long-term asset.

Vilajoana’s Vision for Reform and the Upcoming Elections

Despite the damning findings, Vilajoana’s message was ultimately one of hope. He announced plans to formally launch his presidential campaign on November 27, pledging an agenda focused on transparency, accountability, and a renewed commitment to youth development.

“If I run, it will be to offer real solutions, not ‘Frankenstein’ projects. I’ll work on my vision and explain it honestly. Barcelona needs willpower and responsibility to recover—pretending everything is fine won’t help,” Vilajoana stated.

What’s Next for Barcelona?

With the presidential elections looming in 2026, the controversy over Messi’s Barcelona exit and Laporta’s financial leadership is set to dominate the campaign. Vilajoana’s challenge has put pressure on Laporta to respond and clarify both the club’s financial situation and the true reasons behind the departure of its greatest ever player.

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Opinion: The Need for Transparency at Barcelona

Barcelona’s legacy and future are too important to be obscured by murky finances or half-truths. With Messi’s Barcelona exit still haunting fans and the presidential race heating up, genuine transparency is essential. Only by confronting uncomfortable truths can Barcelona chart a path back to stability, both on and off the pitch.