Messi wants a competitive Barcelona squad, not more money – Laporta

Martin Macdonald

• Updated: 19 May 2021 11:39 BST
• 5 min read

Barcelona presidential candidate Joan Laporta says the club can take heart from the fact that Lionel Messi is not only focused on money as they attempt to convince the Argentine to remain at the club amid increasing interest from PSG and Man City.

During the summer, Messi requested to leave the Blaugrana for the first time in his career after becoming unhappy with performances on the pitch as well as the direction the club was going off it.

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He would eventually agree to stay after Barcelona refused his request of a free transfer, saying his release clause would have to be paid.

Although he has went on to feature for the Catalan side in the first half of the new season, the rumours about him wanting away have not subsided.

At the moment, his main suitors appear to be PSG.

On Tuesday, FootballTransfers exclusively revealed that PSG have told their merchandise stores to prepare for the arrival of Messi.

One factor which further complicates Messi’s situation at the Camp Nou is that presidential elections are coming up soon, with members set to vote for someone to come in and replace the exiled Josep Maria Bartomeu.

Laporta is one of these candidates, and in his campaign he has continually stated a desire to keep hold of Messi, while others have pointed to the Argentine’s major impact on club finances at a time when money is low due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Though a financial agreement would likely have to be reached with Messi, Laporte is sure he can convince him, as the Argentine isn’t solely motivated by money.

“We will use all our skills to keep Messi with us,” Laporta told Radio MARCA.

Messi’s Honours:

Competition	Wins with Barcelona
La Liga	10
Champions League	4
Copa del Rey	6
Supercopa de Espana	8
UEFA Super Cup	3
Club World Cup	3

“Leo is not only focused about money. It will be a good economic proposal, but we will not reach what other clubs can offer. 

“I have a very good relationship with Leo. He wants Barcelona. I am convinced that he is looking forward to a proposal from the new president. 

“It is going to be based mainly on a competitive squad that can win the Champions League. If I make this proposal, I will fulfil it; I am lucky to have Leo’s credibility. 

“Now is not the time to talk about Messi, and for that I have to be president.”

These words from Laporta echoed previous statements about Messi, with the Barcelona presidential candidate, who has been president before, assuring that the multiple-time Ballon d’Or winner wants to stay in Catalunya.

Laporta recently erected a large campaign poster for the presidency just a few hundred metres from the Santiago Bernabeu, the home of Barca’s Clasico rivals Real Madrid.