Joan Laportawas re-elected president of Barcelona after winning 68.18% of the votes in the club's elections, wellahead of the businessman Victor Font. After the victory, the leader returned to refer toLionel Messi and assured that the Argentine will always have a place in the institution
.
“Leo will be linked to FC Barcelona in any way he wants,” Laporta said after the results were announced. He added: "Barça's doors are open whenever he wants to continue strengthening and giving greatness to this institution that is FC
Barcelona.”
The name of Messi returned to occupy a central place in the debate during the campaign, especially after Xavi Hernández assured in an interview that the Argentine may have returned to the club after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but that the operation ultimately did not move forward by decision of the leadership.
Laporta doesn't close the door on Messi in Barcelona after his overwhelming re-election
The statements generated a stir in the Barcelona environment and Laporta responded by pointing out that the forward had other options at the time. As he explained, "in Arabia they offered him a great contract and he preferred to go to Miami
.”
For his part, Messi, currently under contract with Inter Miami until 2028, maintains a strong emotional bond with the Catalan club, where he spent much of his career. In fact, he recently visited the Camp Nou and recalled on his social networks that he was "immensely happy “there
.
Despite the confirmation of his electoral victory, as established in the culé club's statute, Laporta must wait until July 1 to formally assume the presidency, which will total 17 years if all his terms are taken (2003 to 2010, 2021 to 2031). Until then, Rafael Yuste will continue to head the institution, although the re-elected leader anticipated that they will work in a coordinated manner in decision-making
