FCBARCELONA.CAT

07.08.2008 14:59

Messi stays for the Olympics and Barça compensated

Jordi Clos

Txiki Begiristain and Pep Guardiola have explained that they will allow Messi to continue in Peking, even though the Sports Tribunal said the club was right. The player’s wishes were the key in a decision that will bring compensation for the club.

On arriving at the Camp Nou from the United States, the sports director, Txiki Begiristain and the manager Pep Guardiola appeared in a press conference to make public the decision to allow Leo Messi to take part in the Peking games, despite the Tribunal’s decision. Both agreed that the Argentinean player’s desires had influenced the decision and that it was “the best for the club and for the player”.

The compensations

According to Txiki, “The decision was made before getting on the plane in New York, after Pep had talked to the player and the club with the A.F.A.”. The sports director informed that Barça had reached an agreement with the Argentine Football Federation whereby they will have to pay Leo Messi’s wages if he is injured and has also been given a verbal compromise by their president, Julio Grondona, to free the player from future friendlies with the sky blues. Moreover, negotiations have commenced with the F.I.F.A. in order to receive an economic compensation for Messi’s participation in the games. This process said Txiki would take longer.

Satisfied with the Sports Tribunal’s sentence

Begiristain, who days earlier had said that if the Tribunal favoured Barça they woulod try and bring Messi back, pointed out: “The conversations with Leo changed things.” He added, “ We need the player to be happy and we hope he is happy there and, especially when he comes back.” “The main objective was to prove that we were right and we’re happy. It is also true that this legal wrangle has put a lot of emotional pressure on Leo”, Txiki admitted.

The emotional factor is the key

Pep Guardiola, declared: “It was a priority to talk to the player. He wanted to be here, as he showed by being present before beginning the pre-season, but now he’s already at the Games. He was in a very difficult situation, with a whole country behind him”. The Barça manager showed he was convinced: “The solution is great for everyone.” According to him, “we know it is better for him to stay there, where he’s happy and for him to come back with a gold medal.”