Thursday, May 11, 2023 at 10:44 PM• Martin van Mourik

The departure of Sergio Busquets has a positive impact on Barcelona’s chances of bringing back Lionel Messi, LaLiga president Javier Tebas said on Thursday. In conversation with COPE says Tebas that the exit of the defensive midfielder is the first opening for Messi’s return, although a definitive return of the Argentine is still not feasible at this stage.

On the radio program El Partidazo de COPE is hosting the president of the Spanish league to review the financial developments of Barcelona. Last Wednesday, Busquets announced that he would leave Barcelona on a transfer-free basis after eighteen seasons. The midfielder said it was not an easy decision to make. According to transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano, Busquets is facing a transfer to Saudi Arabia, where he could play for Al-Hilal. Tebas acknowledges that the high-earner’s departure could be important if Barcelona are to bring Messi back.

“Barcelona’s exact plans are unknown to me and I wouldn’t know exactly how much the club could save in salary costs with the departure of Busquets,” says Tebas. “The future of Barcelona does not depend on a single player, but on the structural transfer policy. In any case, the departure of Busquets is a good start, but many meters still have to be covered to reach the goal.” With ‘the goal’, the president refers to bringing in Messi.

“I am not the one who has to make the final judgment, because that is what the economic council does. I also do not know which players will leave Barcelona. I am not about that, but I can imagine that it hurts to having to let players go. I assume Busquets’ departure is a sour one, but it won’t be the last exit,” said Tebas.