Lionel Messi deliberately stayed silent during Barcelona elections despite receiving ‘invitations’ | OneFootball

The recent presidential elections at Barcelona once again proved that even in his absence, Lionel Messi remains the club’s most powerful figure.

Throughout the campaign, Messi’s name was everywhere.

Despite not being directly involved, the Argentine icon became a central talking point for candidates, stories, and even campaign strategies. 

According to Mundo Deportivo, though, Messi made a decision from the very beginning that he would not interfere under any circumstances.

There was growing expectation, particularly among candidates hoping to challenge Joan Laporta, that Messi might publicly comment or take a position. 

Given the strained relationship between the two, some believed even a subtle statement could influence the outcome.

That, however, never happened.

Messi, Messi everywhere

Despite receiving multiple ‘invitations’ to get involved, Messi chose to remain completely silent, refusing to lend his voice to any side of the campaign. 

Messi did not intervene in the electoral process. (Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images)

This is because he wanted to stay neutral and avoid any suggestion that he was trying to sway the club’s members.

Still, that did not stop others from trying to bring him into the conversation.

Candidate Marc Ciria was among the first to reference Messi publicly, even unveiling a campaign banner featuring the Argentine’s silhouette. 

Meanwhile, Victor Font went even further by outlining a detailed plan centred around Messi. 

On the other side, Laporta maintained his own approach, repeatedly promising that Messi would be honoured properly once the redevelopment of Spotify Camp Nou is complete.

Yet, through all of this noise, Messi did not utter a word. He stayed out of the political process entirely. 

From the start of the campaign to its conclusion, he did not make a single public comment or gesture that could be interpreted as support for any candidate.

That silence, in many ways, spoke louder than words.