BARCELONA presidential candidate Joan Laporta has warned fans: No me, no Lionel Messi.
Over 110,000 clubs members will cast their votes for Barca’s next president when elections commence on March 7.
Joan Laporta has warned Barca will lose Messi if he loses presidential electionCredit: EPA
Laporta is one of three names in the running for the role alongside Antoni Friexa and Victor Font.
And he has ramped up the pressure on his rivals by claiming superstar Messi is ready to pack his bags unless he is voted in.
The Argentine is out of contract in the summer and is set to leave having grown disillusioned with life on and off the field.
Messi currently pockets around £500,000-a-week at Barca, a deal that has become unsustainable with the club’s finances crippled from the coronavirus pandemic.
However, Laporta insists his good relationship with Messi means he is confident a deal can be struck.
As reported by Marca, he said: “I have a great relationship with Leo [Messi] and he will consider whatever proposal I make.
“If I don’t win, I am sure that Leo will not stay at Barcelona.
“Messi will weight up the offer we make him.
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Lionel Messi’s contract at Barcelona expires at the end of the seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
“I’m convinced that if the other candidates win, Messi will not remain at Barcelona.
“He wasn’t happy during Freixa’s time on the board.
“He’s not guided just by money.
“He wants a competitive team to win.
“I’m sure he’ll listen to my offer, just as I am [sure] that if someone else wins he will leave.”
Messi has been linked with high-profile moves to Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City.
Lionel Messi stuns Elche goalkeeper Edgar Badia by asking for his shirt after Barcelona’s 3-0 LaLiga win
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
