Former Real Madrid hero Hugo Sanchez (62) has said “bad advice” from Lionel Messi’s father Jorge Messi is the reason behind the Barcelona legend’s shock-U-turn to stay at the club.
Messi felt he was entitled to walk away on a free transfer according to his contract but the Barcelona hierarchy prevailed insisting there was a €700m release clause.
With the prospect of a court case looming after La Liga supported Barcelona in their position, Messi made a U-turn and said he would stay for the last year of his contract.
Sanchez however believes a better agent rather than his own dad would have seen Messi get his way.
Speaking to ESPN, Sanchez said: “That untimely burofax only strengthened the image of the president of Barcelona and gave him time to weaken Messi’s decision.
“Messi has had no choice but to stay at Barcelona due to bad advice from his father and the law firm, because they could have saved that burofax.
“That has caused weakness to his image within the team.
“Coincidentally, Messi had the lawyers who had previously worked with Barcelona, but due to a conflict of interest, the Catalan club changed its strategy.”