Gerard Pique told Barça president ‘nothing bad would happen’ if Messi left

How's that working out so far, Gerard?

Barcelona's Gerard Pique reportedly told club president Joan Laporta that 'nothing bad would happen' if they let Lionel Messi leave which contributed to his departure. According to director of Spanish newspaper Sport, Lluis Mascaro, Pique informed Laporta that all would be okay if they let the legendary Argentinian leave the Nou Camp. Messi departed soon after, joining Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer. The Catalan giants were unable to give Messi a new deal as the club couldn't afford it due to being in financial disarray, despite the 34-year-old's willingness to take a pay cut. Laporta even revealed he had hoped Messi would stay and play for free, something which the six-time Ballon d'Or winner denied. Pique counts Messi as a friend having come through Barca's La Masia academy together before spending the majority of their professional career in the club's first team. It seems rather strange that Pique would say such a thing, but Mascaro insists Messi is aware of what the defender said. Speaking to Radioestadio Noche he said: "Messi knows that Pique told Laporta that if Messi left [the club] nothing [bad] would happen." Back in October, as per the Mirror, Pique admitted that Messi's departure from the Nou Camp "was a moment that had to come" but also realised that it was virtually impossible for him to be replaced. If accurate, Pique's comments appear well wide of the mark, with this season looking nothing short of a disaster for Barca at the moment. The Blaugrana find themselves ninth in the table and one point closer to the relegation zone than they do to the league leaders, Real Sociedad. They've also sacked Ronald Koeman after the run of poor results which included a 2-1 defeat in El Clasico to Real Madrid. Messi recently revealed that he would like to return to his beloved Barça when he retires in a sporting director role. They could really do with him still being there as a player. Related links:

• Lionel Messi: I want to return to Barcelona after PSG contract expires
• Barcelona president hoped Lionel Messi would stay and ‘play for free’