‘I hoped Messi played for free’

Barcelona president Joan Laporta admitted yesterday he hoped Lionel Messi would change his mind about leaving the club and offer to play for free.

Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain in August after Barca decided not to renew the Argentinian’s contract due to La Liga’s strict salary limits. “I hoped Messi would do a u-turn and he would say he would play for free.”