Former Barça Vice President: “With or Without Messi, Barcelona’s Revenue Is a Completely Different Story!”

On October 23, former Barcelona vice president Jordi Mestre appeared on a sports program with journalist Toni Padilla, where he openly discussed the immense impact Lionel Messi had on FC Barcelona — both on and off the pitch.

Mestre didn’t mince words: “After Neymar’s departure, Barcelona’s entire attacking breakthrough relied on Messi. And financially speaking, Barça with Messi and without Messi are two completely different clubs.”

He revealed that reliable sources told him Messi and his family remain deeply upset with club president Joan Laporta, and that Laporta’s claims of “reconciliation” are far from the truth. “Many executives at the time didn’t want Messi to leave,” Mestre added. “But in the end, Laporta’s decisions forced him out.”

According to Mestre, Messi’s contribution to Barcelona is one of a kind. “No tribute could ever be too much,” he said. “Yes, Messi’s salary was high — but his value to the club was exponentially greater. When Messi was here, top stars naturally wanted to come to Barcelona.”

He even proposed a lasting honor: naming a stand at Camp Nou after the legend — ‘The Messi Stand’.

Speaking about Neymar, Mestre expressed regret over his departure: “He was at his peak and was meant to be Messi’s successor. Messi himself wanted Neymar to return — he told me so personally.”

Mestre also noted how Neymar’s exit changed Barça’s style of play: “Without Neymar, only Messi could break down defenses one-on-one. With Neymar, they were two — it changed everything.”

He concluded by revealing that Neymar kept his departure secret until the very end: “At team gatherings, he never mentioned leaving. Nobody knew until it was done.”