Josep Maria Bartomeu has pushed back on years of blame over Barcelona's finances, telling EFE it is "tiring" to be used as an excuse five and a half years after leaving office.


Bartomeu disputed the €555m losses for 2020-21, arguing the Covid impact alone was €500m per La Liga's own report. He pointed to Forbes naming Barcelona the world's most valuable club in 2021 as proof his record wasn't all bad.


On Messi: "It is very sad to have to say goodbye to the best player in history, who still had a lot of football left in him with us."


Bartomeu also called for new ideas at the club, after Laporta was re-elected with 68% of the vote on March 15.