A big uproar has erupted again around Barcelona in the Catalan capital. One of the club's greatest symbols, former footballer Lionel Messi, has decided to support candidates challenging current leader Joan Laporta in the 2026 presidential election, according to ABC.
According to reports, the Argentinian star made this decision cautiously, but his reasons are very personal and have deep roots. Messi still perceives his forced departure from the Catalan club in 2021 as a mistake and betrayal by Laporta's management. He believes that it was Laporta and his financial policies that made it impossible for him to stay at Barcelona.
Still revered as a legend by many fans, Messi doesn't hide the fact that despite his attempts to straighten his relationship with the club, the long-standing trust with the management hasn't been restored. He recalls an incident in 2021: despite agreeing to a two-fold salary reduction, Laporta terminated the deal under the pretext of cutting expenses.
Following this, Messi was forced to move to Paris Saint-Germain, and since then, his relationship with the club's management has severely deteriorated. Now he is in close contact with anti-Laporta groups. They are joining forces to nominate a single strong candidate to start Barcelona's new era.
Sources indicate that Messi intends to support only the candidate who has a real chance of winning the election. This further enhances his influence in club politics. Because the Argentinian star's opinion is of great importance to millions of fans in Catalonia.
Currently, Barcelona's fans are divided. Some believe Laporta led the club out of economic decline, while others consider his policies contrary to football traditions. Messi is on the other side - he believes the club should be governed on the basis of openness, respect, and values.
Experts believe the 2026 election will be decisive for Barcelona's history. If the candidate Messi supports wins, it will fundamentally change not only the club's domestic policy but also its future direction.
Lionel Messi holds a special place in the club's history and fans' hearts as Barcelona's greatest academy graduate. Therefore, his political position will probably determine the fate of the team in the coming years.
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