Jordi Farre Promises Messi Stay If Elected Barcelona President
Barcelona presidential candidate Jordi Farre has promised to make Lionel Messi stay at the club if elected in next month’s elections.
Farre will go head-to-head with former Barca president Joan Laporta, Victor Font, Lluis Fernandes and Agusti Benedito for the right to replace Josep Maria Bartomeu, who resigned as president in October, on January 24.
Messi’s current contract with the Blaugrana expires next summer and he will be free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with interested parties in January.
The 33-year-old Argentina international caused a stir this summer when he handed in a transfer request but a potential move away from the club could not materialize.
Farre is optimistic the six-time Ballon D’or winner can be convinced to stay on at the Camp Nou beyond the summer of 2021 if voted into power.
He told Onda Cero: "Messi wants to stay at Barca. That’s what I know. His family wants to stay at Barcelona and we’re going to work for it.
"I would go as far to say that if we win the elections, Messi will renew his deal. His renewal would be incurred automatically on January 25 if I win the elections the day previous."
Messi has scored seven goals in 14 appearances for Barcelona in all competitions this season.
