Former Barcelona star accuses Laporta of lying to Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi

is now officially a

player and is allowed to leave

at the end of his contract in July.

Although Messi had agreed on a deal to return to Barcelona more than three weeks ago, he was told last week that Barcelona were now want to make a deal just because it would mean ‘mortgaging’ their TV rights as part of La Liga’s CVC deal.

Because of their decision, the club and specifically president

Joan Laporta

have been criticized.

Former Barcelona star

Hristo Stoichkov

has now joined in with that criticism and while he did not name Laporta specifically, it seemed clear who he was talking about.

Stoichkov said of Messi in an interview with TUDN via

:

“I see him now, with this image, with another shirt, it’s different.

“I find it strange that people promised, that people played on his heart…’I am going to make it possible, ‘ I want to’, ‘I do’.

“But in the end, the lie has become very big”

He added:

“It’s very strange, this image. It’s difficult, but life is like this. Wherever he goes, I will always respect him for all that he has done for Barcelona, all that he has done for the people, for my children. I have been very fortunate to have it. It’s difficult.”

Stoichkov made 200 appearances for the club across two spells through which he has been able to win five La Liga titles, a European Cup, and a Ballon d'Or.

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