When you mention the name Bartomeu, every Barça fan surely has something to say. As the club’s president from 2014 to 2020, his tenure was arguably one of the most controversial periods in the club’s history, a tough time for any Barcelona fan. Today, I want to talk about the impact this former president had on the team.
Disastrous Decisions in the Transfer Market
The transfer policy during the Bartomeu era was simply baffling. Coutinho for €160 million, Dembélé for €105 million, Griezmann for €120 million—these blockbuster signings almost all ended in failure. And let’s not even get started on the bizarre moves, like spending €40 million on Paulinho. Although Paulinho’s performance at Barça was decent, did this signing strategy truly align with the club’s traditions?
The Deteriorating Financial Situation
The most serious problem during Bartomeu’s tenure was the collapse of the club’s finances. By the time he left, Barça’s debt had exceeded €1.1 billion. This directly led to the tragedy of Messi being unable to renew his contract in 2021. Just look at the figures below—a topic far more grim than choosing a Barcelona fan backpack—to understand how serious it was:
| Year | Debt Amount | Wage-to-Revenue Ratio |
|---|
| 2014 | €320 million | 61% |
| 2017 | €680 million | 78% |
| 2020 | €1.1 billion | 103% |
This kind of financial management is nothing short of a disaster. What does a wage-to-revenue ratio of over 100% mean? It means the club’s income couldn’t even cover salaries, let alone other operational costs.
The Breakdown of the Relationship with Messi
The incident in the summer of 2020 when Messi wanted to leave the club can be seen as the biggest failure of Bartomeu’s presidency. When the greatest player in the club’s history wants to leave, it speaks volumes about the management’s failure. Some say it was Messi’s fault, but I believe it was more due to the management’s arrogance and incompetence.
The ‘Barçagate’ Scandal
The social media scandal that broke in early 2020 was even more shocking. The club actually hired a PR firm to attack its own players and legends online, including Messi, Piqué, and Guardiola. This move was completely beyond the pale, and it’s no wonder Bartomeu was eventually forced to resign.
As a regular fan of Messi’s Barcelona, I just hope the club can emerge from this dark period. Now that Laporta is back, although financial problems persist, we at least see a glimmer of hope for rebuilding. The name Bartomeu will likely be forever associated with the worst period in Barça’s history. What do you all think?
