Laporta debunks Messi – Barcelona return after surprise Camp Nou appearance | OneFootball

Barcelona President Joan Laporta has reiterated that Lionel Messi will not be returning to the club after the icon made a surprise appearance at the renovated Spotify Camp Nou.

The image of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner at the ground where he staked his claim as one of the all-time greats evoked the fantasy of seeing him again in the Blaugrana shirt.

However, Laporta has been quick to pour cold water on the rumours.

He reminded the dreamers that it is impossible to bring back Messi, who has claimed many times that he would have loved to end his career in Spain.

Laporta said (via Fabrizio Romano), “Messi’s return as a player is something just not realistic. As of now, he has a contract with Inter Miami.

“The club is building a project for the present and future. It’s complicated, and if you live in the past, you hardly move forward,” he added.

Considering Barcelona’s financial struggles over the past few years, a deal to bring him back would always face a massive stumbling block, even though fans wanted to believe otherwise.

Despite not getting a final hoorah, Barca still plan to pay tribute to their greatest ever player, with Laporta mentioning building a statue at the Camp Nou.

Interestingly, Messi will play a crucial role in the Barca presidency race after club legend Xavi Hernandez clearly took sides with opposition figure Victor Font.

Messi’s relationship with Laporta could sway votes towards the latter during the election, which he posits will hold between March 15 and June 15.

Font had previously accused Laporta of exploiting Messi to win the 2021 elections.

Laporta promised to do everything in his power to secure Messi’s signature before the election, but a few months after the victory, the 38-year-old signed for Paris Saint-Germain.

However, it is worth noting that despite Messi congratulating Laporta over the 2021 win, their relationship has reportedly grown frosty.