Argentine superstar, Lionel Messi
A former Barcelona director has sparked controversy by attributing the club’s ongoing financial crisis to the influence of Lionel Messi’s entourage during the Argentine superstar’s tenure.
The claims made in an interview with Mundo Deportivo on Saturday, July 12, have reignited debate over the causes of Barcelona’s economic struggles, which have seen the club grapple with a reported €1.3 billion debt.
Jordi Mestre, who served as a director at Barcelona from 2010 to 2017, alleged that Messi’s inner circle, including agents and advisors, exerted significant pressure on the club’s board to secure lucrative contracts and bonuses that strained the club’s finances.
“Messi was the best player in the world, no question, but his entourage pushed for deals that were unsustainable. They demanded salaries and clauses that didn’t align with the club’s long-term stability,” Mestre said.
Messi, widely regarded as one of football’s greatest-ever player, spent 17 years at Barcelona, leading the club to 10 La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies.
However, his departure to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 came amid revelations of Barcelona’s dire financial state, which prevented the club from renewing his contract despite his willingness to take a pay cut.
Mestre’s comments suggest that decisions made during Messi’s peak years, including his €555 million contract from 2017 to 2021, contributed significantly to the club’s current predicament.
Some fans and analysts defend Messi, arguing that his on-field contributions including generating millions in revenue through sponsorships and ticket sales, justified his earnings.
Meanwhile, Barcelona’s financial crisis has forced drastic measures in recent years, including player sales, wage cuts and the controversial “economic levers” strategy under current president Joan Laporta.
The club’s inability to register new signings without breaching La Liga’s financial fair play rules has further frustrated fans, who point to high-profile exits like those of Frenkie de Jong and Raphinha as consequences of past overspending.
Mestre, who resigned in 2017, citing disagreements with Bartomeu’s leadership, also criticised the club’s handling of transfer market dealings during that era, suggesting that inflated transfer fees and poor investments compounded the damage from Messi’s contracts.
“It wasn’t just Leo’s entourage; it was a culture of short-term thinking,” he added.
Mestre’s remarks have added fuel to an already contentious narrative surrounding Barcelona’s fall from grace.
ALL/MA
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