Laporta claims Lionel Messi will only stay at Barcelona if he is elected
With the elections only a few days away, Joan Laporta has thrown Lionel Messi into the debate yet again. The Argentine has been a major talking point throughout the election as keeping the player has become the club’s number one priority.
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Laporta claims that only he can persuade the Argentine legend into staying at the club as they have a much deeper relationship. The former president warned the club and its fans that Messi will surely leave the club if Victor Font or Toni Freixa is elected.
Former Barcelona president confident that only he can keep Lionel Messi at the club
In a recent presidential debate, the three men tried to explain their plans for the club and why they would be the most suited man for the post. That is when the former president pulled out his wild card and claimed that his previous relationship with the six-time Ballon d’Or will help him keep the legend at Camp Nou. He said in the debate,
"“I am sure that if someone else wins the election [other than me], Messi won’t stay at the club,”“I have a good relationship with him, there’s a lot of respect. We’ll make him an offer based on the club’s situation.”Source Goal"
While it is true that the two have a good relationship due to their past affiliation, there is no guarantee that Laporta will be able to keep him at the club. At the end of the day, the decision is Messi’s to make and no one can dictate his wishes.
For the moment, the 33-year-old has claimed that he will be completely focused on Barcelona and he has remained true to his words. Not only has he been performing phenomenally this season, but he has also refused to talk with any other club till the end of the season.
Laporta claimed that the Argentine is not interested in money and thus a proper future plan could persuade him but we must wait and see what the player decides at the end of the season.
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Do you think Lionel Messi will stay on after the end of this season?