Former Barcelona interim president Carles Tusquets denies he actively lobbied for Leo Messi to be sold.
Tusquets has clarified that he has never stated that Messi should depart Barcelona so the club can finance some of their debts.
"I did not say that it was necessary for [Messi] to leave the club," said Tusquets.
"They asked me if it would be economically beneficial and the answer, as an economist, is that it was obvious. But I have never said that I wanted Messi to leave the club.
"The one who wanted to leave the club at that time was Messi. If he has to stay, he has to do so under favourable conditions for Barcelona."
Tusquets also made it clear that Ronald Koeman enjoyed his full support and praised the Dutch coach's personality.
"I supported Koeman from the first moment," noted Tusquets.
"He feels the colours [of the team], he bought a house in Barcelona and was the first one to step forward with the issue of wages."
