Barcelona club presidency candidate Juan Laporta has confirmed that he is the “best man” to persuade
star Lionel Messi to stay at Camp Nou.
And Argentine star Messi shocked the world of football when he asked to leave the Camp Nou before
the 2020-2021 season, but after a long altercation he eventually ended up staying.
The 33-year-old’s future remains shrouded in doubt, despite the end of the reign of Josep Maria Bartomeu,
with whom he had a fraught relationship as president.
And Laporta, who hopes to return to the position he served in between 2003 and 2010, is still looking to solve
Barcelona’s financial difficulties and persuade Messi to stay.
Laporta said about Messi’s departure: “When that moment comes, I hope that I will be able to persuade him
to stay a few more years, so that we can follow this beautiful story and see Messi, who was always wearing
the Barcelona shirt.”
He added, “This is a great story for Barcelona… we must promote it and pay for it,” according to
the Associated Press.
Laporta added, “I am honored to have the credibility of the player. You know Messi, when we meet
the conversation, he always tells me that every time I say something I do. And this credibility I feel proud of.
I don’t want to lose it.”
