Former Barcelona director explains the role of club legends in financial collapse under Bartomeu | OneFootball

Former Barcelona director and past presidential candidate Emili Rousaud has released his authorised biography titled The Faith of the Entrepreneur.

In the book, Rousaud reflects on his time at the club during the Josep Maria Bartomeu era, shedding light on how Barcelona found themselves in deep financial trouble due to unsustainable player salaries.

Rousaud points out that the main issue began with Lionel Messi, who, as the best player in the world, was naturally earning a huge salary. However, the problem arose when other senior players demanded similar treatment.

Root cause of the problem

According to Rousaud, Messi’s close circle, including Jordi Alba, Gerard Pique, and Sergio Busquets, pushed for their wages to be increased, placing pressure on the board.

“Barça’s problem was having the best player in the world, and he was the only one who generated what he earned.

“But the environment of Leo’s teammates pressured the president to raise their salaries too. This led to ridiculous inflation,” Rousaud explains in the book.

He added, “Pique was a good defender, but he wasn’t the best in the world, yet he was the best paid. The club’s salary structure was broken.

Barcelona icons caused major problems. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

“In any company, there must be a balance. When the pandemic hit, the situation got worse because ticket revenue disappeared.

“The players refused to lower their wages, and honestly, as a club member, I was ashamed. Not as a manager—but as a fan.”

Bartomeu vs Laporta

This financial crisis eventually led to the resignation of Josep Maria Bartomeu and the return of Joan Laporta as president.

Rousaud recalls that in 2019, Barcelona were close to winning the treble, but everything collapsed after the infamous 4-0 loss to Liverpool and the Copa del Rey final defeat.

By the following season, Barcelona were humiliated by Bayern Munich with the 8-2 loss, and Rousaud had already left his role as director.

Speaking about the difference in leadership between Bartomeu and Laporta, Rousaud says, “Bartomeu tried to please everyone, but that’s impossible in life.

“He had good qualities as a businessman, though. Laporta is different—he’s very charismatic and bold. After the pandemic, maybe this type of leadership was needed.”

Rousaud also believes that Barcelona have been fortunate with the emergence of Lamine Yamal. “No matter how well the academy works, you can’t always predict a talent like Lamine Yamal.

“But in football, when the sporting part works, the financial part follows. The club’s economy is built on the excitement of the fans and the spectacle on the pitch,” he concluded.

Source: SPORT