The 54-year-old, who resigned as a board member earlier this year in protest of former president Josep Maria Bartomeu, stressed his desire to keep the Argentine star at the club but revealed that this can only happen if a new deal was negotiation with the six-time Ballon d'Or winner.
"In the club's current situation Messi's salary is not sustainable, so we'll have to reach an agreement with him. We will present an attractive project to him," Rousaud told Spanish newspaper AS.
"What matters most here is the sporting project. When Messi said he was leaving [at the start of the season], he didn't mention money. He has the highest salary in the world, no one earns more than him, he doesn't want to leave because he earns too little.
"He wants to leave because he wants to win trophies. He referred to that recently when he said, 'The Champions League is not within our reach.' He wants a team full of talent."
Barcelona's presidential elections are set to take place on 24 January 2021, two months earlier than originally planned following Bartomeu's resignation in October.
