Barca president hopeful cannot see Messi leaving
FRONTRUNNER CLAIMS HE WILL DO EVERYTHING TO KEEP ARGENTINE LEGEND
ONE of the frontrunners to become Barcelona’s new president says he cannot imagine Lionel Messi playing for Manchester City.
Messi came close to leaving Barcelona in the summer after falling out with the club’s hierarchy, who have since all resigned, prompting a new presidential election in January. Messi opted to stay at the Nou Camp to avoid a costly legal battle to end his contract, with City his most likely destination.
The Blues have since confirmed they are in a position to sign Messi should he look to leave next summer, but manager Pep Guardiola has reiterated his long-held belief that he wants Messi to end his career at Barcelona.
Unsurprisingly, Messi’s future has become the focal point of the presidential election, with one candidate Victor Font saying Guardiola returning to Barca could be key to keeping Messi.
However, Joan Laporta, a former Barcelona president and candidate in the upcoming election, says he does not envisage Messi or Guardiola leaving their current clubs.
“I can only imagine him in a Barca shirt,” Laporta is quoted as saying by the Mail, explaining that the Champions League could be key to keeping the Argentine at Barca until he retires.
“And I will do everything possible to make sure he continues to wear it with the number 10 on his back. I think it suits him very well. I know Leo and I think he just wants to keep playing, and focus on winning another Champions League. People say to me: “why don’t you talk to him?” But he already knows what I think.
He knows that if I’m president the first thing I’ll do is to work out how I can convince him to stay until the end of his career.”
Laporta explained why Messi was so keen to leave Barcelona in August, explaining that he is confident of keeping Barca’s star player due to his close relationship with Messi and his representatives.
“With a competitive team, I do [believe
Messi can keep playing for a long time.] With Leo it’s not a question of money. What he wants is to be in a team that can win the Champions League again.’
As for Guardiola, Laporta revealed he is in regular communication with the coach he appointed to become Barcelona boss in 2008. However, Laporta insisted he has no plans to try and bring Guardiola back to the Nou Camp while he is still committed to his job at City.
“With Pep I have an open line,’ he said. “He’s a friend, I talk to him.”