New Barcelona presidential pre-candidate: ‘We will do whatever it takes to bring Messi back’ | OneFootball

FC Barcelona now officially has a new pre-candidate for the presidential elections.

Marc Ciria, speaking at a large event attended by around 700 people at Sala Bikini in Barcelona, formally announced the creation of Moviment 42 (Movement 42), his electoral platform to try to become the 42nd president of the Catalan club.

The elections will take place next year, with Joan Laporta contesting to continue for another tenure, while several pre-candidates have announced themselves now, with Ciria joining the list.

Ciria vows to bring Messi back

During a question-and-answer session with members, Ciria was asked what role Lionel Messi should have at Barcelona, now that speculation has arisen about the Argentine possibly being involved in some way during the electoral process.

And Ciria was unequivocal in his response: “We already said in 2021 that he was the best generational bridge in sporting terms and an economic engine. We need Leo Messi, and we will do whatever it takes to bring him back.”

The financier explained that his motivations for taking this step are to preserve the club’s ownership model, which he believes is at risk due to the management of the current board.

Ciria believes that the current administration has led the club to have “the highest debt in the world” among sports clubs, and he now intends to restore meaning to the motto “More than a Club.”

Ciria insisted on giving greater voice to the members and promised to treat them as “the legitimate owners of the club.”

Without engaging directly in confrontation with Joan Laporta, he said that the club’s management must be modernised, as it is currently “outdated”.

He also highlighted that he and his team have offered solutions to the financial problems and placed them at the service of the club “without waiting to enter the club.”

Source: AS