Lionel Messi stays considered one of FC Barcelona’s most cherished icons, adored by followers even years after his sudden departure in 2021. In a possible twist that would reignite his bond with the membership, the Argentine legend may reportedly play a job within the upcoming presidential elections, although not in direct help of present president Joan Laporta.
Since leaving amid the membership’s monetary turmoil in 2021, Messi has typically expressed a want to return to Barcelona, the place the place he spent most of his life and constructed his profession. A correct farewell ceremony has lengthy been mentioned, with supporters anticipating a becoming tribute, however thus far none of these plans have come to fruition.
At one level, Messi’s return was anticipated to coincide with the reopening of the renovated Camp Nou. Nonetheless, with the stadium nonetheless awaiting last approval from native authorities, these plans collapsed. With little motion from the membership to honor him in recent times, the Inter Miami star is now rumored to be contemplating an look on the elections as a substitute.
In accordance with Spanish outlet Cadena SER, Messi has not dominated out participating within the electoral course of. Whereas a definitive reply has not been given, experiences recommend he has thought-about making some type of gesture, whether or not by casting his vote or just showing throughout the occasion.
New FC Barcelona President Joan Laporta and Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona speaks throughout the FC Barcelona President official inaguration at Camp Nou on March 17, 2021 in Barcelona, Spain.
The outlet additionally claims Messi has been in contact with members of Barcelona’s inside circle, although not one associated with Laporta. Along with his want to reconnect with the membership after years of silence, and Laporta’s presidency nearing its last stretch, the Argentine’s potential involvement may ship shockwaves by way of the Catalan aspect.
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Messi, Laporta, and a fractured relationship
After turbulent years underneath former president Josep Maria Bartomeu, when the membership spiraled into monetary disaster and gamers had been requested to take pay cuts, the 2021 elections had been seen as a turning level. For the primary time in his profession, Messi solid his vote within the election, an act broadly interpreted as a symbolic message to the membership, its executives, and the followers.
Laporta, desperate to resolve Messi’s expiring contract, repeatedly highlighted his shut ties with the participant and his household. “If I win, I’ll name Jorge Messi at this time,” Laporta mentioned after casting his poll, reinforcing his picture because the president who may hold the legend in Catalonia.
However occasions unfolded in another way. When his contract expired, Messi left the membership in tears, saying his departure in 2021 in one of the emotional moments in Barça’s historical past. Since then, neither Messi nor Laporta has spoken overtly about one another, fueling hypothesis of a fractured relationship. The strain resurfaced final yr when Messi declined an invite to Barcelona’s a hundred and twenty fifth anniversary gala, citing sponsor commitments. a transfer many interpreted as one other signal of the lingering divide.
