Joan Laporta, FC Barcelona’s president, has unveiled a heartfelt vision for honoring Lionel Messi, aiming to heal past rifts.
As president, Joan Laporta navigates the delicate balance of honoring tradition while steering the Blaugrana toward a sustainable future.
In a candid interview on the Bestial program, Laporta shared personal insights, from his leadership style to his vision for the club, while addressing a lingering wound in Barcelona’s soul.
His words, laced with passion and conviction, reflect the emotional weight of leading a club under financial strain and global scrutiny.
Joan Laporta expressed hope for a grand farewell to Lionel Messi, acknowledging their strained relationship after failing to renew the Argentine’s contract in 2021, as reported by Diario Sport.
“Cruyff is God,” he declared when asked to choose between Johan Cruyff and Messi, but added, “With Messi, we’ve had a very good relationship… we hope to give him the great tribute he deserves.”
This gesture aims to mend ties with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, whose 672 goals and four Champions League titles cemented his legacy at Camp Nou before his move to PSG and Inter Miami.
Laporta’s comments come amid his re-election campaign, where he touts stabilizing Barcelona’s €1.3 billion debt and overseeing the Spotify Camp Nou rebuild.
His praise for Hansi Flick—“a Gladiator, like Russell Crowe, with sensitivity and discipline”—underscores the club’s current harmony, with Flick’s high-pressing system yielding 25 points from 10 La Liga games.
Yet, Messi’s shadow looms large; a tribute could galvanize fans and signal reconciliation, possibly during a 2026 Camp Nou event.
The president’s personal reflections—calling himself “authentic” in love and prioritizing “sex over money”—reveal a charismatic figure unafraid of controversy.
For Messi, a fitting farewell could close a bittersweet chapter, uniting club and legend once more.
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