Laporta publishes book, "How We Saved Barca": I prepared contract for Messi and waited for weeks
.jpeg)
Reading Time: 3min | Tue. 24.02.26. | 16:45
"A month later, Jorge Messi told me that they chose Inter Miami because Lionel would not be under this much pressure there," wrote the Blaugrana president
Joan Laporta has stirred Spanish football with the release of his new book, How We Saved Barca, a detailed account of the past five turbulent years at FC Barcelona.
Part memoir, part defence brief, the book presents Laporta as the architect of the club's recovery from financial chaos, and arrives conveniently as he prepares to run again in the upcoming presidential elections.
The Messi saga
The most emotional chapter centres on Lionel Messi's departure.
Laporta claims negotiations were complicated by the demands of Messi's entourage, though he describes the player's father, Jorge, as more understanding. He reveals that Barcelona even proposed an unconventional solution: a long-term deal that would have seen Messi play initially for Barca before spending part of the contract on loan in MLS - a creative attempt to navigate La Liga's financial restrictions.
The league rejected the idea and, according to Laporta, made clear that Barcelona would need to sign a controversial 50-year TV rights agreement with investment fund CVC to proceed.
A return after Messi's spell at PSG was also discussed. Laporta says he drafted a contract proposal, but weeks passed without a response. Eventually, he was told Messi had chosen Inter Miami, preferring a less pressurised environment.
"The relationship with Messi is not what it was. There was also an incident at the Ballon d'Or award ceremony in which I went to greet him and he considered that we did not have to greet each other. From there, there was some rapprochement and we hope that this will happen in the future. The relationship is damaged, but he is a legend of Barca."
Koeman: "Not my coach"
Laporta is equally candid about the dismissal of Ronald Koeman. He recounts telling the Dutchman directly that, while he considered him a club legend, he was "not my choice" as coach - a conversation Koeman did not take well.
The Negreira Case and Real Madrid
On the ongoing "Negreira case," Laporta mounts a firm defence, challenging critics to identify a specific match or refereeing decision that benefited Barcelona. He also redirects attention toward Real Madrid, alleging historical influence over referee appointments in Spanish football, which he labels the "biggest scandal" in the sport's history.
Super League and Xavi
Laporta admits he initially backed the European Super League project due to its projected €700 million windfall, but insists Barcelona always sought balance between financial survival and institutional relationships.
His account of his relationship with Xavi Hernandez is particularly revealing. Laporta describes a dramatic turnaround: after publicly announcing his departure, Xavi allegedly asked to stay during a private dinner, promising titles.
Yet Laporta claims he reconsidered after Xavi publicly questioned the team's competitiveness. He recounts being visited in hospital by a masked Xavi, who reassured him of his belief in the squad, only to later tell sporting director Deco that the team required major reinforcements. That, Laporta writes, was the breaking point.
Camp Nou renovation
Addressing criticism over awarding the Camp Nou renovation to Turkish company Limak, Laporta argues the decision was driven by technical criteria and strict financial guarantees required to secure US-based funding. He maintains that the process was subject to rigorous transparency oversight.