Ex-Barcelona president questions Messi over refusal to return to Camp Nou

By Ihuoma Inyama

Former Barcelona president Joan Gaspart has criticised Lionel Messi over his reported reluctance to return to the club while Joan Laporta remains president.

Gaspart, who was Barcelona president when Messi joined the club’s academy as a 13-year-old, questioned why the Argentine would make his return dependent on who occupies the presidency.

Speaking on the podcast Sólo para Culés, Gaspart acknowledged Messi’s status as one of the greatest players in football history but insisted that Barcelona should come before any individual.

“He is a great player, the best in the world, partly thanks to Barça,” Gaspart said.

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He added that Messi should eventually return to Camp Nou to receive a proper farewell from the club’s supporters, regardless of whether Laporta is still in charge.

“If Leo Messi only comes to say goodbye the day Laporta is no longer here, and refuses to come because Laporta is the president, I wouldn’t give him a tribute. Who does he think he is?” Gaspart said.

“Barcelona is bigger than him, and he should be careful.”

Messi’s relationship with Laporta has reportedly been strained since the Argentine left Barcelona in 2021 after the club failed to renew his contract because of financial restrictions.

The forward later came close to returning to Barcelona in 2023 after leaving Paris Saint-Germain, but ultimately joined Inter Miami.

Laporta has claimed Messi and his father, Jorge, ultimately preferred a move to Miami, while former Barcelona manager and Messi teammate Xavi Hernández disputed the president’s account, alleging that Laporta himself blocked the proposed return