I don't think it's a ridiculous question at all and it's more than fair to ask. I've given the idea that Laporta didn't want to pay Messi 50 million a year for two more years some thought as well. In fact some of his comments make it seem they just couldn't afford him aside from just trying to fit him in. That's not to say he didn't want Messi but rather didn't think it was the best decision financially.
I guess the answer is we don't know. For me the points to consider are as follows:
- How much of the "rule" did they know or not know and why weren't they completely versed on it in short order once they understood the potential ramifications?
- What did the books tell them about the finances pre-audit?
- When was and audit undertaken and when was it completed?
- With regards to registering players still on the payroll, how does that pertain to players signing a renewal/extension while they're still on the books even if it the new contract takes the payroll over the allotted budget? Very important question if you ask me.
- I too think Messi wanted to return, but why was their a delay? Messi on vacation? Messi at the Copa? Laporta wanted to wait?
For me it doesn't look good pending the answers to some of the above especially considering the part about players already on the payroll. To that point it sounds as though they could register over the allotted budget if they were already on the payroll, so why not agree a new deal while he's still on the books?
One final point of consideration with regards to Laporta, he could have possibly dragged this out by telling the Messis they needed more time, but he was very explicit in their being a deadline giving Messi time to do what was right for him. EDIT: Also, whether Laporta is honest or not is debatable, but he doesn't seem to hide from tough decisions and no matter how he spun this assuming he did he must have known he'd be at least in part in the firing line. A lot of "tough" decisions and stances have been made while Laporta has been President if you look at the past.
I'm still struggling with how they weren't able to make this work, especially if they can terminate some contracts as they apparently can with Umtiti if reports are correct. That said a lot of other players you'd like to see go wouldn't be eligible to have their contracts terminated, but you still could have had the agreements with the senior homegrown players in place and I still think they could have worked harder to offload players. Not to pick on him, but do you make Griezmann to Atleti happen? Even if it means a free transfer? While I think another deal could have been made, the answer would still be "yes" if that's what it came to.
