Barcelona president Joan Laporta has announced that relations with one of the club’s legends, Lionel Messi, are being restored. He stated that the tensions between the two sides are now in the past.
“I had a very close relationship with Messi. But at that time, the inability to renew his contract made the situation difficult. Now everything is gradually getting back to normal. I truly believe he will receive the respect and recognition he deserves,” Laporta told journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Messi’s career with Barcelona began in 2004 and lasted until 2021. During those years, the Argentine star wrote one of the brightest chapters in world football — 10-time La Liga champion, 4-time UEFA Champions League winner, and 6-time Ballon d’Or holder.
In 2021, he moved to Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent, which came as a painful shock for Barcelona fans. After that, relations between Laporta and Messi became noticeably strained.
Now, however, the situation appears to have changed. According to sources, the two sides have reestablished communication in recent months. There are even reports that Messi might return to Barcelona in an honorary role in the future.
Laporta emphasized that Messi’s name and place will always remain sacred for the club’s management. “His contributions are the brightest chapter in Barcelona’s history. We will always remember him with pride,” he added.
Thus, the ice between the Argentine star and the Catalan club seems to be melting. For football fans around the world, this is heartwarming news — because the names Messi and Barcelona will forever remain intertwined.
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