Joan Laporta’s first 12 months as FC Barcelona president in his second tenure in 2021 coincided with Lionel Messi’s abrupt departure from the membership as a result of monetary constraints and points with the star’s contract renewal. A number of years after that momentous occasion, the membership president opened up about his relationship with Messi and a possible tribute to the Barca legend.
With Barcelona dealing with monetary difficulties underneath former president Josep Maria Bartomeu, the 2021 elections marked the primary time Messi reportedly solid a vote. Whereas he by no means made it public, Laporta’s closeness with the Messi household reportedly performed a major position in his election. Nevertheless, after assuming workplace in March, Messi departed as Barcelona had been unable to resolve his contract state of affairs, straining the connection between the star and the president.
In an interview with outlet 3Cat, Laporta mirrored on his relationship with the Argentine star years after the occasion: “Messi and I’ve had an excellent relationship. Once we didn’t renew his contract, it soured, however since then we’ve kind of recovered it a bit. What we hope is that he can obtain the good tribute he deserves.”
Since Messi’s sudden transfer to Paris Saint-Germain, the Argentine has not returned to FC Barcelona, signaling a transparent distance from the membership’s president. Now, Laporta says the connection with the membership legend has improved, and he’s keen to prepare the long-awaited tribute.
New FC Barcelona President Joan Laporta and Lionel Messi.
How will Barcelona honor Messi?
Messi has spent nearly all of his skilled and private life in Barcelona, forging a permanent bond with the Catalan metropolis — one thing he has referenced a number of instances since leaving the membership. Laporta is now centered on strengthening his relationship with the Argentine star by way of a particular tribute, which might happen within the coming months.
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In the beginning of the 2025-26 season, in an interview with Mundo Deportivo, Laporta mentioned the plan for Messi’s tribute: “Again then, all through the ultimate stage of Leo’s time at Barca, we at all times mentioned it: Essentially the most lovely factor can be to inaugurate the brand new Spotify Camp Nou with a tribute to Leo Messi. It’s one thing we’d be completely delighted about, however after all, it additionally is determined by Leo and his household. I hope it occurs. It might be actually lovely.”
Nevertheless, the inauguration of the revamped Spotify Camp Nou has confronted repeated delays over the previous months, from the Joan Gamper Trophy to the current day. In response to Diario Sport, stadium technicians are actually focusing on a November twenty third weekend opening, coinciding with Barcelona’s house recreation towards Athletic Bilbao, a date that might lastly host the long-anticipated tribute to Lionel Messi.
