LaLiga president Javier Tebas has defended their role in Lionel Messi failing to re-sign for Barcelona.

Tebas insists Barca knew the rules they had to work to after seeing their former captain commit to Inter Miami.

"People always look for reasons where there are none. We have always been very clear. Barça are not in the one-to-one rule (able to spend what they save/generate), they are at 40% (can spend this amount of what they save/generate), and as the rule was changed for all clubs they are a little better off than last year, but they are far from being in the one-to-one rule," Tebas explained at the Liga Genuine awards ceremony.

"The viability plan is for all clubs and is a consequence of the new Sports Law that was approved in December, which makes us even more responsible for the future of the clubs."

Tebas was asked if missing Messi hurts LaLiga: "Every year we have the same story and what would worry me is to have clubs with financial problems.

"What would really worry me is, as it happens in England, that the English government makes a white paper on football in that country that says that they are over-dimensioned and have many expenses, and that many clubs have gone or could go bankrupt.

"I would also be concerned, as is happening in Italy, that they have to ask the state for a tax deferral of €700 million. Or I would be worried, as is happening in France, to be the league that loses the most across all clubs.

"All those things are what would worry me, more than whether we should have more players or not. If it's to ruin us, I'd rather we didn't have them. It's honestly what the clubs think, as it's a rule approved by all the clubs."