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Nieuws
- 2 hours ago
Barcelona presidential candidate: 'We need Lionel Messi back'
Martin Macdonald
- 17 Dec 2025 06:01 CST
- 6 min read
Nieuws
A candidate to become the president of FC Barcelona has vowed to bring Lionel Messi back in some capacity.
While at Barca, Messi developed into, many would argue, the greatest footballer in history. However, he eventually left the club under a cloud as the Catalan giants couldn't afford to register him as a squad player due to La Liga's salary cap and their ongoing financial problems.
The Argentine never wanted to leave and cried upon his departure to Paris Saint-Germain.
He has since moved to the MLS where he is undoubtedly the best player in the league and recently led Inter Miami to their first ever MLS Cup.
Before the MLS Cup Playoffs, it was announced that he had signed a new deal with David Beckham's franchise until 2028.
For fans hoping for a romantic Barca return as a player, that news put a spanner in the works.
It does seem like Messi will indeed eventually return to Camp Nou, however.
"We already said in 2021 that he was the best generational bridge in sporting terms and an economic engine," presidential candidate Marc Ciria told club members.
"We need Leo Messi and we will do whatever it takes to bring him back."
Ciria stopped short of saying what role he wold like Messi to have upon his return.
Ciria's Barcelona vows
Ciria, a financier, has made three main vows in his presidential bid:
- Ensure Lionel Messi's return
- Give club members a bigger voice
- Sort out the club's extensive financial issues
He explained:
"We are a candidacy to win the next Barça elections, of course we are, but above all we want to preserve the legacy. When things aren't working, you have to change them, you have to start over. We mustn't get caught up in personal interests or entrenched positions.
"Our movement is the only one that has presented real solutions. We must modernize the club with real professionals. We are not some kind of sham. I feel expelled by prohibitive prices, by the games of buying and downloading tickets, by the absence of a dedicated fan zone and the largest sports association movement in the world, the supporters' clubs, because now they don't suit us.
"The debt has grown in recent years, we haven't increased revenue despite inflation, and perhaps because of all this, these are the last elections we'll experience as Barça members."
According to the New York Times, Barcelona are currently in €1.45 billion of debt.
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