Messi’s Barcelona future: Why he is more likely to stay with Joan Laporta as club president

Barcelona have their new president after electing Joan Laporta (one of many membership’s former presidents) to the publish on Sunday. The 58-year-old Spanish lawyer has many towering hurdles forward, together with dealing with the membership’s severe monetary disaster, rebuilding an costly, growing older and under-performing squad, and aiming to get them again to contending persistently Europe. However no process is as essential as convincing famous person Lionel Messi to remain because the Argentine’s contract expires this summer season, with each Manchester Metropolis and PSG linked to the participant.

However what does Laporta successful the election imply for Barca’s possibilities of holding Messi? Properly, they actually simply elevated, and listed here are three the reason why.

1. Relationship is already in place

Messi voted not too long ago for the primary time within the Barca elections. He is often on worldwide obligation with Argentina or again in his dwelling nation when elections happen throughout the summer season. However following Josep Bartomeu’s resignation late final 12 months, the elections have been moved as much as March, permitting the participant to vote. 

And after Laporta (who beforehand held the position from 2003-2010) gained convincingly, beating out second-place Victor Font by over 24 factors, he was contacted by Messi. Laporta informed Cataluya Radio that Messi congratulated him on the win.

Messi has not disclosed which candidate he voted for, however practically everyone assumes it was Laporta, and the truth that that they had contact so late within the day following the elections exhibits, within the very least, that there’s already dialogue, there may be nonetheless a friendship and there may be nonetheless hope in convincing him to remain.

2. The partnership sees outcomes

Messi and Laporta go approach again, and he was the president when Messi made his skilled debut for the membership in 2004. Whereas Laporta was president, Barca gained all the pieces. Oh, and he additionally gave a Barcelona B coach a shot. That man was named Pep Guardiola, who’s now making an attempt to lure Messi to hitch him at Manchester Metropolis.

Underneath Laporta’s steerage, Barcelona gained La Liga 4 instances, gained a Copa del Rey, a Membership World Cup and extra. Most significantly, Barca gained two of their 4 Champions League titles with Messi whereas Laporta was president. These two titles got here in 4 years, and within the decade since he left, Barca gained it simply as soon as.

Collectively, that they had their finest years, and that candy style of the previous may assist in embracing the longer term.

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3. A extra promising future

Laporta is not taking up a Barca that appears like a 2021 Maserati. It appears extra like poorly stored 1988 Ferrari. It is simply not what it as soon as was. It has been very serviceable for years, there are nonetheless some absolutely functioning elements, however upgrades are wanted. Each Messi and Laporta know this staff will not be near competing in Europe. Additionally they each know that to be able to compete, they need to discover a approach to lower wage, do away with gamers and rejuvenate a squad. That is a process made much more troublesome by the present monetary state of affairs they’re experiencing. 

So it can take some convincing him that issues can be higher. Perhaps that’s by promising a brand new coach like Xavi or giving Messi some say within the transfers. Barcelona’s kind the remainder of the season will go a great distance, too. One other trophy-less marketing campaign may very well be the ultimate straw, however some type of glory, like a Copa del Rey title, together with some honest guarantees, may very well be sufficient for Messi to proceed his legacy on the membership and push for an additional Champions League run. 

There isn’t any doubt Barca face an uphill battle in retaining Messi, however having a well-recognized face in Laporta provides them their finest probability simply months after feeling like that they had none.