Former Real Madrid president Calderon talks about Bartomeu and Messi saga


Former Real Madrid president Calderon talks about Bartomeu and Messi saga

Lionel Messi

Ramon Calderon talks about Messi’s possible departure from Barcelona

The six-time Ballon d’Or winner, Lionel Messi has informed Barca, he wishes to depart after a dismal season at Camp Nou. This decision has caused uproar at the Blaugrana. Barca captain and superstar prepares to leave after two decades of service.

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The Catalan giants failed to win a single trophy. Barcelona exited the Champions League with a humiliating 8-2 quarter-final defeat to Bayern Munich.

In La Liga, a disappointing end to the interrupted 2019-20 season saw Barca relinquish the title to their arch-rivals. Real Madrid eventually finished five points clear at the summit to claim their first Primera Division crown since 2017.

Bartomeu is under fire at Camp Nou after Messi asked to leave the Blaugrana at the end of a hugely disappointing season.

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The 33-year-old has a clause in his contract that allows him to terminate his deal and leave the club for free at the end of each season.

It is claimed Messi intends to activate this clause. Although, Barca reportedly believe the option has already expired for this year, despite the 2019-20 season having been prolonged by the coronavirus pandemic.

Ramon Calderon on Lionel Messi leaving Barcelona

Messi might be on the way of leaving Barcelona, according to former Real Madrid president

It appears that the talismanic No.10 will now move on. Two years earlier his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo left Madrid for Serie A giants Juventus.

Calderon told Stats Perform News: “It would be really hurtful for the image, the quality, the show [in LaLiga if Messi went].

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“We have been really lucky having Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi playing in our league for the past 10 years. The best two players in the world by far.

“They won’t be here anymore, neither of them will be with us. It is really hurtful for our league and for the fans.”

Calderon revealed his surprise at Messi’s request. Although he acknowledged the scale of Barca’s recent failings made the move understandable.

“Recent events have surely made Messi upset,” he said. “It is a weird time because he is a winner, as Barcelona used to be.

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“The defeat against Bayern has hurt him a lot, for sure. That makes Messi reconsider his future, especially because there will be a World Cup in two years. I am sure he is aiming to be there and to win the cup.

“So, he has probably thought the future of Barcelona is not the best for his goals and he takes that decision.

“It has been a bit shocking for me because I thought he had already decided to finish his career at Barcelona. But it looks like these latest actions have influenced him to leave the club.”

Ramon Calderon on reduced fee for the transfer of “priceless” captain Lionel Messi

Calderon believes Messi is ‘priceless’ and the forward offers value for money

Rival clubs would have to pay €700 million (£627m/$828m) to release Messi from his contract. This fee would appear beyond any suitor between the demands of Financial Fair Play and the impact of the global crisis.

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“I am pretty sure they will reach a friendly agreement,” Calderon told Stats Perform News . “They have had 20 years together.

“Messi has given his best for Barcelona, and Barcelona have given their all to Messi. They have won many titles together. He has won six Ballons d’Or.

“I am sure they will not go for a legal fight and they will solve it in a friendly way. It would be what I would try, and I am sure Bartomeu [as Barcelona president] will do the same.

“I know him. He is a calm man, and he will look for the best solution for both. There is no need to go for any legal fight or any controversy.”

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Messi’s significant wage packet represents another stumbling block. But Calderon believes the forward offers value for money, even if a cut-price deal with Barca might be required.

Juventus paid just €100m (£90m/$117m) to Madrid for Messi’s great rival Cristiano Ronaldo two years ago. Calderon considers the fee a relative bargain.

“Obviously, I would be enthusiastic if I was the president of any club who can sign [Messi],” Calderon said. “It is true he is 33, but I am sure he has still three or four years at his best level ahead of him.

“Having said that, how can you pay for him? Real Madrid gave a gift selling Cristiano Ronaldo for €100m because he is showing he is still really valuable and will be for another couple of years.

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“I don’t know – [the fee] is something that has to be fixed. I am sure nobody will pay €700m, but that will not be the point.

“The club who sign him will be lucky but also will have a huge salary to be paid. He really deserves it, though. The value he adds to a team is priceless.”

Ramon Calderon on Bartomeu facing unfair criticism at Barcelona

Ramon Calderon says that Bartomeu is facing unfair criticism from the Barca supporters

But Calderon, who previously served as president at rivals Real Madrid, has sympathy for Bartomeu, whose position is up for election in March.

“Being sat in this chair is very difficult,” Calderon told Stats Perform News. “It is much more difficult than what people can imagine.

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“There are so many critics and yet, when things go well, the praise is for players and managers. It is normal that the president is the black sheep.

“This is the person who is accused of not signing a player or letting a player who fans consider important for the team. I don’t like it.

“I don’t have the information [to properly analyse], but I think Bartomeu has been a good president. From what I see and from what I know of him, I think he is a good president.

“It is very complex. Even more so in this time when the team start to lose and get that humiliating defeat. The fans don’t forgive.”

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Attempting to explain Bartomeu’s actions, Calderon added: “As all presidents do, he has looked for the best for the club.

“Whatever he has done or said, I am sure it has always been for good and trying to get the best for the club he represents.”

Also Read: Messi’s future linked to Suarez’s, says Uruguayan’s agent