Barcelona Presidential Election: Font Calls for Messi to Reveal Truth Amidst Laporta Accusations

As Barcelona prepares for its presidential election on Sunday, candidate Víctor Font has urged Lionel Messi to disclose the full story surrounding his attempted return to the club in 2023. The call comes after former Barça coach Xavi Hernández publicly accused current president Joan Laporta of blocking the deal due to fears of a power struggle.

Font’s Plea for Transparency

Font believes that Barcelona’s members – socis – deserve to have all the facts before casting their votes. “I hope he tells the truth so that the socis don’t go to the polls misled by Laporta and blinded by the smoke screen of hope generated by Hansi Flick and the young players,” Font stated at a recent event. He acknowledged that Messi may be hesitant to speak out before the election, but expressed his hope that the Argentine star will share his perspective.

Xavi’s Allegations and Laporta’s Response

Xavi Hernández claimed that an agreement with Messi was in place three years ago, when Messi was preparing to leave Paris Saint-Germain. He stated that LaLiga had even approved the financial aspects of the deal, mirroring earlier statements made by Laporta. However, Xavi alleges that Laporta ultimately halted the operation, fearing a “war” with Messi following the player’s departure in 2021.

Laporta has refuted Xavi’s version of events, asserting that it was Jorge Messi, Lionel’s father, who withdrew from the negotiations, citing his son’s preference for a move to Inter Miami to avoid intense scrutiny in Barcelona.

Font’s Vision for Messi’s Role at Barcelona

Font has consistently emphasized the importance of bringing Messi back into the fold at Barcelona. If elected, his first action would be to contact Messi and present a plan for his involvement. “I would call Lionel Messi on Monday,” Font told Jijantes. “I would explain the plan we have. We will tell him that Barça should never have broken the relationship with the best player ever. There are thousands of socis still hurting and wanting a reconciliation.”

Font’s proposal includes three key pillars:

• Institutional Role: Offering Messi the position of honorary president, subject to approval by the club’s assembly.
• Commercial Opportunities: Leveraging Messi’s brand to generate revenue, drawing inspiration from partnerships like Jordan-Nike and Federer-On, and utilizing his stake in Inter Miami to strengthen his presence in the American market.
• Sporting Farewell: Allowing Messi to determine the manner of his farewell to Barcelona and the Camp Nou, whether through continued play or a formal tribute.

Nou Camp Redevelopment Progress

In a separate development, Barcelona has been granted an occupancy license for further sections of the Nou Camp, increasing the stadium’s capacity from 45,401 to 62,652. The approval from Barcelona City Council relates to Phase 1C of the venue’s redevelopment, opening the North Goal (Gol Nord) stand and adding new VIP areas. Source