'Coward' Luis Figo betrayed Barcelona, Neymar only wanted money: Ex-Barca president Joan Gaspart

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Bengaluru, March 8: Former FC Barcelona president Joan Gaspart feels the transfers of Luis Figo and Neymar out of the Catalan club are not alike with the former committing a treachery, while the Brazilian only went after money. Portuguese playmaker Figo's move from Barcelona to arch-rivals Real Madrid in 2000 was probably the most shocking transfer of that season and the previous decade. The 2017 summer of Neymar, who shifted loyalties to Paris Saint-Germain for a record €222 million caused similar outrage in August 2017, with reports soon after suggesting the Brazil star intended to line up a future transfer to Madrid without going directly from Barca.

However, Gaspart feels the nature of the two transfers is not similar. Gaspart told Marca on the transfer talk surrounding the Brazilian, "Neymar's possible move to Madrid is not comparable with Figo.

“Figo left with treachery and with no time to renew the team, and he was a coward who betrayed us.

"Neymar went for money, full stop."

Gaspart was elected Barcelona president just a day before Madrid presented Figo as their player. It left a deep wound across Catalonia, who were seemingly angry with the Portuguese sensation. During the El Clasico match on November 23, 2001 at Camp Nou, supporters even threw a severed pig head on Figo, who was donning a white shirt. Barcelona fans were jeering Figo throughout and when he went over to take a corner for Real Madrid, they flung bottles and cans near Figo.

Gaspart's statement, however, raises more interest on Neymar’s speculated transfer to Real Madrid. If all that was money that could lure Neymar out of Catalonia, Madrid can do that as well to get him back to La Liga.

On the other hand, Gaspart suggested Lionel Messi won’t depart Barca in the event of Catalonia securing legitimate independence and is adamant the club would still be able to keep him.

"In a Catalan republic, Messi would continue at Barca because we would have a great team and we would still play in the Champions League," he added.

"The problem we have now is stability in the country and that a government will conform."