Joan Laporta Says 'Doors Always Open' For Lionel Messi At Barcelona

Joan Laporta has secured a landslide victory to remain Barcelona president until 2031.

Following his re-election, he immediately sent a message to club legend Lionel Messi, insisting that the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner will always have a place at the Spotify Camp Nou.

Laporta has been re-elected as Barcelona president until 2031, securing a landslide victory that sets the stage for a second consecutive term. Laporta defeated rival candidate Víctor Font by claiming 68.18% of the 48,480 votes cast by club members, a result that provides him with a powerful mandate to lead the Blaugrana through their stadium transition and ongoing financial recovery.

In the direct aftermath of his win, Laporta addressed the elephant in the room: the potential return of Messi. "Leo will be linked to Barcelona in whatever way he wants to be," Laporta told TV3 via ESPN.

"He deserves a tribute [match] and also a statue. That would be hugely significant. Only Ladislao Kubala and Johan Cruyff have statues at the stadium. The doors at Barca are always open to him, whenever he wishes, so that he can continue to strengthen and bring greatness to this institution."

The presidential race was far from a quiet affair, largely due to explosive comments from former Barca manager Xavi. During the campaign, Xavi labeled Laporta a "liar" and alleged that the president had actively blocked Messi’s potential return to Catalonia in 2023. Laporta, however, used a fiery debate to dismantle these claims, suggesting that the legendary former midfielder had relaxed and couldn't balance his family and professional life as manager.

Laporta maintained that Messi's decision to join Inter Miami was entirely down to the player, rather than any boardroom interference.