Barcelona President Opens Heart About 'Heartbreaking' Bond With Lionel Messi
Barcelona's president Joan Laporta reopened past grievances and discussed his connection—or absence of one—with the club's legendary figure, Lionel Messi, disclosing that he has communicated with him just once since his controversial exit from the team over four years ago.
During an extensive interview with La2CAT, Laporta confessed he played no role in Messi's recent unexpected visit to the Spotify Camp Nou, noting that a cordial birthday exchange shortly after Messi's departure marked their final conversation.
"The circumstances [his bond with Messi] bring me sorrow," Laporta confessed. "Leo [Messi] contributed immensely to Barcelona and Barcelona contributed immensely to Leo. I wish for our reconciliation."
"[It brings me sadness because] as Barça president, I executed Leo's initial contract when he was 16, along with his first renewal. With his family [the connection was] positive and with him we had an excellent rapport.
"It's up to him. I remain willing to repair anything. I'm discussing providing him with an homage, a monument, granting him acknowledgment. Because in our [Barcelona] 125-year legacy, the 'Messi Era' represents one of the most magnificent if not the most magnificent period in our history."
Joan Laporta Has No Regrets Over Lionel Messi Leaving Barcelona
A central element of Laporta's presidential campaign before his second tenure was a pledge to guarantee Messi would secure a contract extension to remain with the team throughout his career. Messi personally endorsed Laporta during that 2021 presidential race.
Fewer than five months after Laporta's return as president, Messi was compelled to depart the club due to Barcelona's unstable financial circumstances, creating the strained relationship between them.
Even now, Laporta maintains that Messi's exit, despite being heartbreaking, was necessary to preserve the club's survival. This is a viewpoint he hopes Barça supporters comprehend and endorse.
"I'm a Culé [Barcelona supporter] and the institution stands above all else," Laporta declared. "If I were a [Barcelona] shareholder, I would comprehend what the president accomplished above everyone else."
Messi has expressed multiple times his desire to have completed his entire career at Barcelona, which has generated additional resentment toward the person accountable for his exit.
Nevertheless, Laporta stays confident in his choice and he intends to seek re-election next year. Messi has yet to provide his endorsement to any potential candidates, but should he do so, his impact could be decisive in determining the election's result.