Joan Laporta Issues Messi Stay Plea At Unveiling
Newly elected Barcelona president Joan Laporta pleaded with Lionel Messi to remain at the club at his unveiling on Wednesday.
Laporta returned for a second spell as Barca president in a landslide victory over Victor Font and Toni Freixa in elections held earlier this month.
Laporta previously served as Barcelona president between 2003 and 2010 in what proved to be one of the most successful periods in the club’s history. Barcelona won four La Liga titles and two UEFA Champions League trophies during Laporta’s first helm at the club.
One of the 58-year-old’s foremost tasks in his second coming will be to convince star man Messi, whose contract expires this summer, to sign a new deal.
Messi unsuccessfully tried to agitate for a move away last year and it remains to be seen where the six-time Ballon D’or winner’s future for next season lies.
"In our first spell we had the best players in Barca history, but if we were successful it was because we had stability," Laporta explained at his unveiling as Barca president for a second time.
"It is Barcelona's unity which gives you stability and I invite everyone at Barcelona to think about what they can do for Barca.
"I am here to make decisions, like convincing Leo to carry on, taking advantage of the fact that he is here. He knows that.
"You know the affection I hold for you and we will do whatever it takes to keep you here. You know you cannot leave, Leo.
"We will not be able to do it alone. As our anthem says, we are strong all together. More so in these most difficult times. We know how to do it.
"When the pandemic is over our revenue will return. That will be fixed. There will be strong leadership, because I am well-accompanied. We will make decisions. To defend the club you have to live and breathe it and we do that as much as possible."
Messi has scored 21 goals in 25 La Liga games for second placed Barcelona this season.
