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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Inside football’s pre-season tours: Why Messi’s presence matters more than the game

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.

World’s best footballer, Lionel Messi, has tendered an apology to football fans in Puerto Rico after the much-awaited friendly between Inter Miami and Independiente del Valle was postponed to 26 February after an injury to the Argentine legend.

Messi’s match against Ecuadorian side Independiente del Valle was originally scheduled for 13 February, but it has been pushed back by two weeks as the 38-year-old footballer suffered a hamstring injury during last weekend’s 2-2 draw against Ecuadorian club Barcelona SC.

Messi apologises to Puerto Rico fans

Messi was unable to play the full match against Barcelona, leaving the pitch in the 58th minute after suffering a muscle strain in his left hamstring.

“Hello everyone, I’d like to send my greetings to the people of Puerto Rico, both those who were going to attend the training session and the match,” Messi said in an Instagram Story on Thursday.

“The truth is that in the last match in Ecuador, I ended up with discomfort, which is why I came off before the end. Because of that, together with the organisers and the club, it was decided to suspend this match. I hope it can be rescheduled, that we can see each other, and that we can visit you soon.”

الأسطورة ميسي يوجّه رسالة إعتذار:

“مرحبًا جميعًا، أردت أن أوجّه هذه الرسالة إلى أهل بورتو ريكو، سواء الذين كانوا سيحضرون التدريب أو المباراة.

في الحقيقة، في آخر مباراة لي في الإكوادور شعرت بانزعاج عضلي، ولهذا خرجت قبل نهاية اللقاء. وبعد ذلك، وبالاتفاق مع الجهة المنظمة والنادي،… pic.twitter.com/kt11YavPsv

— Messi World (@M10GOAT) February 11, 2026

“I’m sending you all a very big thank you for your support and affection. I know tickets had already been sold and everything was set in motion, so hopefully we can make it happen later. A big hug to everyone, and all the best.”

Such was the demand for the match featuring Messi in Puerto Rico that the tickets for the game were sold out in just 17 minutes. The good news is that the tickets will remain valid for the rescheduled match, which will take place at the Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium in Bayamon.

Puerto Rico was the latest stop in Inter Miami’s pre-season tour, with matches earlier being played in Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador.

Why does Messi-minus match have to be postponed?

In the larger scheme of things, it’s a very rare thing that a pre-season match is postponed due to injury to a player. But not surprising at all.

Pre-season across different countries are a common thing in football, as the most popular clubs use these trips as a brand activation event and an opportunity to strengthen bonds with their overseas fans.

While pre-season matches are ideally expected to get the players and team in shape, it has become an increasingly commercial activity in modern-day football.

That is why the pre-season match between Inter Miami and Independiente del Valle has been rescheduled after Messi’s injury. It’s no longer a practice game or a preparatory match, it’s a commercial event like a music show, an opportunity for fans to see one of their most favourite footballers play.

And there’s hardly anyone as popular as Messi. Maybe also Cristiano Ronaldo!

But in Puerto Rico’s context, Messi is the main and only attraction.

In Messi’s absence, there’s a big risk of fans turning against the organisers. This is exactly what happened last year in 2024 when Messi
did not play in a friendly in Hong Kong due to an injury. Messi’s no-show led to a political crisis as the footballer was accused of “disrespecting” China and Hong Kong.

The organisers were also forced to issue 50% refund due to the criticism, leading to millions in losses for Tatler Asia, a magazine and lifestyle brand.

Well aware of past mistakes, VRDG Entertainment Group, the organisers of Messi’s game in Puerto Rico, acted quickly and brokered a new match date in negotiations with Messi and Miami. Now they will hope he turns up on that date.

David Beckham is looking to sign Cristiano Ronaldo from Al-Nassr to create a dream team with Lionel Messi at Inter Miami, as per reports. This comes amid Ronaldo’s uncertain future at Al-Nassr.

The Portuguese superstar refused to feature in Al-Nassr’s last two league matches in protest of perceived unfair financial backing from the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) to Al-Nassr.

To that end, it has been reported that the 41-year-old is considering leaving Al-Nassr at the end of the season, with a move to the Major League Soccer (MLS) suggested.

In the latest development, according to a report from the Daily Star, Inter Miami co-owner Beckham is aiming to make football history by partnering his former teammate Ronaldo alongside long-time rival Messi.

Messi has been plying his trade at Inter Miami since 2023 and has taken the club to unexpected highs. Ronaldo also joined Al-Nassr the same year, but unlike his Argentine counterpart, he has yet to win a major trophy with the Saudi Pro League club.

The potential of both players becoming teammates is something that football fans would definitely love after sharing a decade-long domestic rivalry that shaped the football world.

“He’s a great person” – When David Beckham picked between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi

Back in 2023, David Beckham weighed in on the Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi debate. The former England captain, although has always spoken fondly of Ronaldo, picked Messi as the player he admires the most between the two.

For over two decades, the pair have often been compared with each other, with fans and pundits giving their say on who the better player is.

“It has to be Messi,” Beckham told ESPN in an interview. “I love Leo for many different reasons. I love him because he’s a great father. I love him because he’s a great personality, a character. He’s a great person. But I think what everybody loves about him is the way he plays the game. He plays the game with passion. He plays the game just free the way he plays. And I think this past World Cup again. I think the way he played for his team, for his country and to win that World Cup was an incredible moment for him. And I love watching players like him.”

To date, Lionel Messi has won a record eight Ballon d’Or awards, while Cristiano Ronaldo has five to his name.