Barcelona president Joan Laporta has spoken about his relationship with Lionel Messi and admits he feels sad about how things are between the two currently.
Messi is believed to still be angry at Laporta for the way he had to leave the club back in 2021 after believing he would be offered a new contract.
Laporta told La2CAT program ‘Pla Seqüència’ that he regrets how Messi left but added: “I am a Barça player and above all else is the institution.”
The club chief says he’s only spoken to Messi once since: “We called each other on his birthday when he left. Alejandro (Echevarría) put us in touch. It was an affectionate conversation, although it has had no consequences and the subject has left me sad.”
Messi has been back to the Camp Nou recently for a secret visit and has admitted how much he misses Barcelona. Laporta spoke about how Messi’s visit came about and seems keen to make amends.
“[He came] with some friends from the national team and Pepe Costa, they saw the light here, they decided to come, the head of security called the stadium coordinator and they entered the stadium,” he said.
“In 125 years of the club’s history, Messi’s moment is one of the most glorious, if not the most glorious, he must have recognition. He is someone linked to Barça who has more projection, he has given a lot to Barça and Barça a lot to him. Hopefully we will meet again.
“It depends on the other party, I am willing to fix anything… with a tribute, a statue.”
