Presidential candidate vows to ‘call Lionel Messi first’ if elected Barcelona president | OneFootball

Barcelona presidential candidate Victor Font has made one of the strongest statements of the campaign so far, publicly promising that his first act as president would be to call Lionel Messi. 

The declaration comes as Font intensifies his campaign ahead of the club’s presidential elections, which will be held on March 15.

The election date was recently confirmed by the board of directors of FC Barcelona, a decision that Font acknowledged while also questioning the timing. 

Speaking about the process, he explained the position of his candidacy regarding participation and logistics.

“We wanted the elections to be held as soon as possible, but we also wanted the chosen date to guarantee maximum participation.

“From a competitive standpoint, we don’t like it, but we are ready to go for this opportunity. If there is a game that day, we ask that all seats at Spotify Camp Nou be made available to members,” he said, as per SPORT.

Attack on Laporta

Font then framed the election as a defining moment for the club’s identity and governance model. 

Victor Font has attacked Laporta’s management. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

He argued that the vote goes beyond individual names and instead represents a choice between two very different visions for Barcelona’s future.

“These are not elections to choose one person or another. 

“It is time to choose between the outdated, personalistic, and presidentialist model, which drives away talent and labels you a bad Barça fan if you disagree, and what we represent: the opposite model of collectives, which attracts talent and plans with rigor and transparency. 

“The time has come for Barça to stop depending on one person. These elections are about choosing between Laporta and Barça.”

While acknowledging the positive atmosphere generated by the team on the pitch under Hansi Flick, Font remained sharply critical of the club’s current management away from it.

“Behind the enthusiasm of Flick and the boys, the situation is worrying and the reality is mobilizing thousands of members. The financial management has been inefficient. 

“All of this is happening in a context of opacity; they have deceived club legends such as Messi, Koeman, Saras… In addition to tens of thousands of unjustified commissions paid,” he commented.

Call to Messi

Font will try to amend broken relationships. (Photo by Leonardo Fernandez/Getty Images)

Font then confirmed the statement that has resonated most strongly with supporters, outlining his intentions regarding Messi.

“The first thing I’ll do is call Messi.”

He added that his priority would be to repair the damaged relationship with the club’s greatest-ever player, stating that he has a clear roadmap in place.

“Rebuild bridges with Leo Messi,” with whom he said he has a plan with “three-dimensional potential.”

Looking ahead, Font also referenced the next generation, warning against repeating past mistakes.

“Let’s make sure that the Lamine era doesn’t fall short, as it did with Messi, where we won less than we should have.”

Regarding the sporting project, Font expressed full confidence in Flick and promised structural support if elected, offering him “a professional structure that will not depend on 1-2 people and in which he will have more people to lean on.”