JOAN LAPORTA insists he has no regrets over his stunning decision to allow Lionel Messi to call time on his Barcelona career.

And the Nou Camp president has praised Xavi for his efforts in the Catalan giants’ managerial hot seat.

Messi, 34, made headlines across the globe after he sealed a free transfer to Paris Saint-Germain last summer after 21 years with Barca where he won 30 trophies.

It is thought the playmaker was the highest paid player in the world at the time reportedly earning around £480,000-a-week.

Barca were forced to part company with Argentina skipper after their financial challenges left him unable to extend his contract with the side.

Laporta, 59, who took up the reigns for the second time as president for the club, had taken charge of clearing up the budgetary problems that had befallen side during the Covid pandemic.

And despite describing his choice to let Messi leave as ‘the saddest of them all’, he claims has no fears about the decision.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Laporta, told Barca TV: “It was painful.

“If I take stock, it is the saddest decision of all and I would never have wanted to make it.

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"But I am not sorry either because I wanted to put the institution ahead of everything, even ahead of coaches and the best player in history. 

“And we had to do it because the situation we inherited is what it was.

"And due to a lot of will and intentionality we had, we came across a reality. 

“It might seem that there was nothing afterwards, but those of us who love Barça know that history continues and with work and well-thought-out decisions, we can continue on the path of success.”

Laporta sought to balance Barcelona’s finances with the club contending with a huge spend on players’ wages.

It is thought keeping their midfield maestro who helped his side to four Champions League crowns and 10 LaLiga titles would have been impossible.

And in his interview Laporta revealed his wish that he hired Xavi as the club’s boss sooner.

The team, who are currently third in LaLiga, have play Galatasaray next, have won five of their last six games across all competitions.

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The Nou Camp president added: "It's clear to me. I should have listened to my intuition but in life you can't listen to intuitions. 

"You have to take into account many situations.

"I'm sure no decision is perfect but I didn't, I made another decision according to other circumstances.

"And in the end the decision was good because we have improved."

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