Sandro Rosell has explained Lionel Messi’s precedence over Neymar, Tito Vilanova’s health and defended Barcelona’s sales strategy this summer.
Former Barcelona man Johan Cruyff has led the way this summer in suggesting that the Catalans will struggle to balance on and off the pitch prioritising between Messi and new signing Neymar.
However, the club’s President believes that the situation is clear and that a clash of egos is unlikely.
“There are not two roosters in the henhouse. There is only one and that is Messi,” Rosell explained as part of his interview with 8 al Dia this week.
“Now we have signed Neymar, who is a great player and a great person. No-one is better than Messi, but Neymar is going to show that he is a great player and can help the club.
“He can be an extraordinary teammate, not only for Messi but for everyone. Although we like to create myths, they are people. And both have a big heart. I hope that with the rest of the staff.”
Rosell has faced scrutiny this summer for Barca’s transfer policy, which has seen Eric Abidal released, David Villa sold at a low price to Atletico Madrid and Thiago Alcantara choose to move to Bayern.
“I have no doubt that Pep wanted to sign Thiago and Thiago wanted to leave.
“Before talking with Bayern, I asked Thiago to tell us that he wanted to go. When someone wants to go, you do what is best for the club.
“Villa? As important as the number of euros earned for a sale are wages, years of a contract and the player’s age.
“Villa knows that if he had stayed, he may not have played the minutes that he would have liked. It has therefore been a great operation for Barca and a great operation for Villa and Atletico.
“Abidal? Barca made a grand gesture to Abidal when he was ill. When he recovered, he was treated as a player of the squad and the decision not to renew was merely for sporting reasons.”
The Catalans have been linked with Thiago Silva.
“Thiago Silva is a player that we want. That is the case, and it is not an issue of price. We are negotiating with people for whom money is not a variable.
“And if they do not want to sit down to negotiate, we cannot talk to anyone. If the player wants to convince them then he can come here and start negotiating.”
The President was asked once more of Tito Vilanova’s continuation at the club this coming season, in light of suffering a relapse in his cancer during 2012-13.
“We have spoken. We have had a few weeks to do so. Only on sporting themes. No doctor has told me that he cannot be Coach of Barca and as none have told me, he remains so.
“I see him good, looking forward, with strength, very lively, thinking about the project and titles.”
Rosell also used the interview to respond to Pep Guardiola’s accusations from last week.
