The president of Barcelona has revealed that the club still owes Messi’s unpaid payments, which are expected to end in a few years.

Laporta told La Vanguardia: “What is owed to him is a pay deferral that was agreed with the board previously and generates unpaid payments ending in 2025”.

The president also discussed Messi ‘s decision to reject Barcelona ‘s offer and sign for Inter Miami .

“We had an agreement with LaLiga that we would dedicate some of the resources we had to Messi ,” Laporta said.

“It was put into the workable plan. We contacted Jorge Messi , who told me that Messi had a very difficult year in Paris and that he wanted less pressure.

“With our pick, he will continue to be under pressure and I understand his decision [to go to Inter Miami ].

“Good luck to him and we’ve started preparing a grand memorial for him.

“In the framework of the 125th anniversary of the club’s founding, and when we return to the Camp Nou, it will be the perfect time for that.”

Laporta went on to emphasize that Barcelona may not be able to pursue some of their midfield targets, but he is optimistic that the club will extend Xavi Hernandez ‘s contract.

“[ Xavi ] understands the club’s situation” Laporta noted.

“He wanted to strengthen the midfield, but he knew that some options were not viable and would be wrong [if we signed them].

“He wants to continue and there will be no problem”

There have been some reports that Ansu Fati could leave Barcelona in the summer, but Laporta believes the La Masia product will stay.

“Let him continue,” Laporta added.

“He has to earn Xavi ‘s trust and when he’s on the pitch he has to make the difference because he has the talent to do it.”

“There were offers for [Andreas] Christensen , for Pedri , for Gavi , for [Ronald] Araujo , for [Marc-Andre] Ter Stegen , for Ansu Fati , for Raphinha , for [Alejandro] Balde . I’m not a sales club.”