Lionel Messi Could Stay But Should Sacrifice One Thing, Barcelona Presidential Candidate Suggests

Barcelona presidential candidate Emili Rousaud strongly believes that the club has a great chance of keeping Lionel Messi if he would be open to letting go of one major thing.

The Catalans have been dealing with Messi’s exit saga almost the entire 2020-21 La Liga season. Candidates for club presidency claim they know how to convince the six-time Ballon d’Or winner to stay.

Most recently, Rousaud weighed in on the subject. In an exclusive interview with AS, he went candid about Messi’s situation. The former Barca vice-president is confident that he has an “attractive” project which could possibly change the player’s stance.

However, the 54-year-old also pointed out that the Argentine’s salary is “unsustainable” at the moment and suggested that he lowers down his rate in order to “reach an agreement.”

“Obviously, with the actual situation at the club, [Lionel] Messi's salary cannot be sustained. It's unsustainable,” Rousaud stated. “An agreement would need to be reached. The project which we will present to him is an attractive one. ”

Elaborating on the need to have a persuasive project, Rousaud stressed that Messi never mentioned anything about not being satisfied with his salary.

For Rousaud, the athlete’s payout is important. But Messi is more concerned about having a competitive squad.

“What matters here is the sport project,” he emphasized. “When Messi said he was leaving, he didn't say it was to do with money. He is the highest-paid footballer in the world, no one earns more than he does. He didn't want to leave because he doesn't earn enough. He wanted to leave because he wants to win trophies.”

“He said so at the time, ‘we aren't going to win anything’,” he continued. “He wants to play for a team where there is talent.”

Joan Laporta, who is also running for Barcelona's presidency, previously insisted that despite Messi’s thirst to have a winning team, the 33-year-old’s “love” for Barca might still prevail.

As for his contribution to the matter, Laporta is optimistic that he would be able to convince Messi to stay at Camp Nou.

“Messi loves Barca and I'm sure he can give the club a chance,” the former Barca president explained. “I will be able to, at the right time, have a conversation with him and help him make the right decision. To keep the best player of all time happy, you have to have a good team.”