"Barcelona's problem has been that Messi is out, I am out" - Ex-Barca coach aims dig at Joan Laporta's management
Ronald Koeman has given a scathing verdict of Barcelona president Joan Laporta's management by alluding to his and Lionel Messi's departures. The iconic Blaugrana duo left Camp Nou in 2021.
The Netherlands manager touched on Barca's interest in Athletico Bilbao winger Nico Williams. He suggested to Spanish outlet AS the Catalans should show more respect to their club legends:
"In recent years, Barca's problem has been that Messi is out, I am out, Xavi is out... I think the best thing is to respect the club's legends. That is much more important than fighting for a player."
Koeman was in charge of the Catalans from August 2020 to October 2021, overseeing 40 wins in 67 games. His legendary status comes from his playing career, during which he was arguably one of the greatest defenders in the La Liga giants' history.
Messi, 36, is Barcelona's all-time top scorer and perhaps the greatest player to play for the club and in football history. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner icon posted 672 goals and 303 assists in 778 games before leaving three years ago.
The Blaugrana have struggled in recent years, winning just one La Liga title in five years. That came in 2023 under Xavi, who was sacked by Laporta at the end of last season.
Koeman blamed the board for Barca's problems:
"Barca has to be at the top and lately in recent years it has not been there to compete. I think it is because of the Board because they work in a way that is not good."
Messi was linked with a return to Barcelona last summer but opted to join Inter Miami. The Argentine icon had doubts about his beloved former club's financial situation, which led to his departure to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021.
"I did not want the same situation" - Lionel Messi on rejecting Barcelona return
Messi looked increasingly likely to rejoin Barcelona in an emotional return to Camp Nou last summer. La Liga ratified the move to allow the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner to reunite with the Catalans.
However, he pulled the plug on a return to Barca and explained why after opting to join MLS side Inter Miami. He alluded to the club's financial state (via Mundo Deportivo):
"Yes, the truth is, I obviously really wanted to, very excited to be able to return, but, on the other hand, after having experienced what I experienced and the exit I had, I did not want to be in the same situation again – wait to see what would happen and leave my future in someone else’s hands, so to speak."
There were constant rumors linking Barca players with departures to make room for Messi from a sporting and financial perspective. He didn't want to be part of this:
"I heard that they had to sell players or lower player salaries and the truth is that I didn’t want to go through that, or take charge of obtaining something that had to do with all that."
The Argentina captain has since flourished with David Beckham's co-owned Inter Miami in the MLS. He's registered 25 goals and 16 assists in 29 games across competitions for the Herons.