Barcelona presidential candidate Victor Font has revealed his plan to bring Lionel Messi back to the club if he wins the upcoming elections. Font said he wants Messi to return to Barcelona so that the Argentine legend can get a proper farewell in front of the fans at Camp Nou.

A crying Messi left FC Barcelona in 2021 in very emotional circumstances. The club was facing serious financial problems back then and could not afford to renew his expensive contract. As a result, Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1 and later moved to Inter Miami CF in Major League Soccer (MLS).

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Speaking to AS, Font said that Messi’s relationship with the club can only be repaired if current president Joan Laporta is no longer in charge. According to him, if he wins the elections, Messi’s “last dance” at Barcelona is possible.

“During the pre-election period, names are thrown around. We try to generate enthusiasm based on facts. And the undeniable reality is that this reconciliation with Messi will never happen with [Joan] Laporta. If we win the elections, Messi’s last dance is possible,” Font said.

Font said Messi is not just a great footballer but also a role model as a person. He described Messi as hardworking, committed and honest, someone who truly represents Barcelona and its values.

Font also claimed that Messi was “deceived” twice, first in 2021 when he arrived to renew his contract but had to leave, and again in 2023 when he wanted to return under then-coach Xavi Hernandez, but the move did not happen.

“Messi is a role model not only as a footballer but also as a person. Messi reflects what we Barça fans are like. A hard-working, committed, and honest leader who loves Barca. We mustn’t forget that Messi has been deceived twice: in 2021, when he arrived in Barcelona to renew his contract, and in 2023, when he wanted to return to the club of his life with Xavi Hernandez. After raising his hopes, the board once again closed the door on him,” he added.

Font says Messi deserves a proper farewell

Font believes Messi deserves a proper goodbye on the pitch and not in a closed room. He said a player of Messi’s level should retire wearing the Barcelona shirt in front of the fans. However, he added that everything depends on Messi’s wishes and his situation at the end of 2026.

“Messi cannot end his time with Barca with a farewell in a closed room. It’s unthinkable. Messi must retire on the pitch. Obviously, how he does it depends on his wishes and his situation at the end of 2026. What we do want to say is that the only way he can say goodbye in the way he deserves, in his kit and on the pitch, is if Joan Laporta is no longer in power after March 16,” Font said.

Font also revealed that he is ready to offer Messi the role of Honorary President of the club in the future. He said this would be a way to keep the connection between Messi and Barcelona alive even after his playing career ends. “We have proposed to him to be Honorary President of the Club,” he added.

Lionel Messi is widely regarded as the greatest player in Barcelona’s history. During his time at the club, he broke many goal-scoring records and won numerous trophies, including multiple La Liga and Champions League titles. His departure in 2021 shocked the football world, as many believed he would retire at Camp Nou.

The presidential elections at Barcelona are heating up. The process officially began on February 9 and will end with voting on March 15. Laporta, who is currently president, was first in charge from 2003 to 2010 and returned to power in 2021. He is considered one of the most successful presidents in the club’s history.

Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa is backing Kylian Mbappe to break Cristiano Ronaldo’s records at the club after the French star found the net once again in Los Blancos’ 2-0 win over Valencia in the LaLiga on Sunday, February 9.

Real Madrid defeated Valencia comfortably after a scratchy first half on Sunday. Alvaro Carreras broke the deadlock in the 65th minute before Mbappe doubled the lead in the injury time. Despite the win, Arbeloa’s men still remain a point adrift of the leaders Barcelona who thrashed Mallorca on Saturday.

Arbeloa praises Mbappe after win

“Words fail to describe Kylian,” Arbeloa said after the match. “We thought we wouldn’t see anything like Cristiano, but he’s on his way. We’re very lucky to have him. He’s the best player in the world right now.”

“Like I said, Cristiano’s performance seemed otherworldly, and Kylian still has a long way to go, but he has the talent to follow in his footsteps. Why not surpass him? If anyone can, it’s Kylian,” the Real Madrid head coach said.

Mbappe has now fired seven goals in his last six matches in LaLiga where he is currently leading the goalscoring charts. In fact, he has 23 goals, eight more than the second-placed Vedat Muriqi of Mallorca. He has a total of 38 goals this season. Ronaldo’s record in one campaign at Madrid was 61 goals in the 2014-15 season.

He also praised Carreras who opened the scoring for the Madrid side against Valencia to set up his side’s seventh straight victory in the league.

“Alvaro’s goal shows that he has a lot of talent going forward. He also scored a great goal against Valencia in the first leg. There are no adjectives left to describe Kylian. We thought we weren’t going to see anything like Cristiano, but this one is on his way,” Arbeloa said after the match.