Barcelona Presidential Candidates Clash Over Lionel Messi's Future
Once again during his illustrious career, Lionel Messi finds himself at the center of political turmoil surrounding Barcelona.
The club's all-time greatest talent is being utilized as a political tool in the approaching presidential race, which hasn't been formally scheduled but is expected to occur near the conclusion of the 2025–26 season. Presidential candidate Víctor Font has been criticizing current president Joan Laporta for allegedly exploiting Messi's name.
Font acknowledged that Messi's rumored comeback to Catalonia would "give me goosebumps," during a conversation with Mundo Deportivo this week, before quickly stating, "what we must avoid is attempting to exploit him." He emphasized, "I believe Laporta has engaged in this behavior repeatedly, and I think his approach has been misguided.
"The most recent and clear example [of Messi exploitation] occurred during the [previous] elections," Font stated, referencing the 2021 campaign when Laporta strongly suggested he would do whatever necessary to retain the Argentine superstar at Barcelona. Just months later, Messi had signed with Paris Saint-Germain.
"This represents another broken commitment, and I feel Messi shouldn't be manipulated," Font declared before immediately doing so himself. "However, Messi should understand that my first action upon winning the elections will be to call him. That will be my initial phone call."
Victor Font's Plan for Lionel Messi
Messi personally congratulated Laporta following his 2021 electoral victory—securing approximately 54% of votes while Font obtained just under 34%—but their relationship has reportedly cooled considerably since then. It was notable that Messi waited until the president had departed the city and allegedly didn't notify any club officials when he visited the renovated Camp Nou discreetly earlier this month.
Font has detected this tension and is openly extending an olive branch to the Inter Miami captain.
"We must welcome Leo Messi," he proclaimed, "and do everything within our power so that, as quickly as possible, Leo Messi assumes the position at Barça that, as he mentioned recently, he desires and that all Barça supporters would be delighted about. Simply having his statue barely scratches the surface."
Font's campaign is openly rooted in nostalgia. "I mean, Barça and Barça's legacy are defined by its legends," as he expressed. Messi represents just one iconic figure connected to the club's remarkable recent past that Font is attempting to incorporate, with Xavi Hernández and Pep Guardiola also being mentioned.
"Ultimately, the objective is to move past improvisation and create a solid foundation so that success isn't dependent on occasional fortune, but rather, through a systematic approach, capture the Champions League once more, which we haven't achieved in a decade," Font explained.
"The aim is to unlock Barça's complete potential because, I emphasize, if Barça truly represents everyone, it becomes unstoppable, completely unstoppable. No other club can even compete."