'You know you can't leave': New Barcelona chief pleads to Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi hails from Argentina and has done wonders playing for Barcelona throughout his career. He is a modern-day great, having won record six Ballon d'Or titles. Although he is reportedly unhappy at Barca right now, new club president Joan Laporta wants him to stay at any cost.
FollowArgentine football superstar Lionel Messi has been in the headlines of late for supposedly being unhappy at the club. Furthermore, he is apparently contemplating a move away from Camp Nou.
It all started last season after Barca was thrashed 8-2 in the UEFA Champions League's quarters, leading to then-club president Josep Bartomeu resigning. Messi also expressed his displeasure at the club's current management, as he handed in a transfer request last season, only to be turned down.
While his current contract comes to an end this summer, he is yet to sign an extension, as he probably wanted to wait until the club presidential elections. Meanwhile, Joan Laporta won the elections last week and has taken over the charge of the club.
On Wednesday, Laporta officially took charge of the club. As he has a task at hand, he sent out a plea to Messi, reminding him that the Argentine is too valuable for the club and should know that he cannot leave Camp Nou.
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"I am here to make decisions, like convincing Leo to carry on, taking advantage of the fact that he is here. He knows that. You know the affection I hold for you and we will do whatever it takes to keep you here. You know you cannot leave, Leo," he said.
Nevertheless, to be noted, for Messi to stay, Barca has to win a title, at least in the domestic circuit. Having already been blown away in the UCL pre-quarters by Paris Saint-Germain, Messi's interest in staying back has seemingly dwindled, as his father, who is also his agent, is reportedly negotiating with other top clubs.
Laporta also looks to bring the club out of a severe financial crisis, as it has a reported debt of around €1 billion. Nonetheless, he ensured that he would try his best to ensure the economic turmoil is over and backed the club to be back at its full commercial strength following the eradication of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We will not be able to do it alone. As our anthem says, we are strong all together. More so in these most difficult times. We know how to do it. When the pandemic is over, our revenue will return. That will be fixed. There will be strong leadership because I am well-accompanied. We will make decisions. To defend the club, you have to live and breathe it and we do that as much as possible," he concluded.
