Barcelona Presidential Candidate Vows to Bring Back Lionel Messi
Barcelona presidential candidate Marc Ciria has made a bold promise to bring back the club’s legendary player, Lionel Messi, if he wins the upcoming elections. Ciria, who officially announced his candidacy this week, aims to succeed current president Joan Laporta, whose mandate is set to expire in 2026. The elections are expected to take place between March and June next year.
Despite leaving the club in 2021, Messi’s legacy continues to be felt at Barcelona. The Argentine superstar, who recently led Inter Miami to their first MLS Cup, is likely to play a significant role in the campaign, albeit indirectly. Ciria’s promise to bring back Messi has sparked excitement among fans, who still cherish the memories of the player’s incredible achievements at the club.
“We want our legends to be able to come back to the club and not have to do it in the middle of the night and hidden,” Ciria said at an event to launch his candidacy on Tuesday. This statement was a nod to Messi’s unexpected appearance at Spotify Camp Nou last month, where he expressed his desire to one day return to the club. Ciria emphasized that Messi is an indispensable figure for Barcelona and that his return would be a significant boost to the club’s finances and reputation.
“The Messi-Barça relationship has to be like the Michael Jordan-Nike one. It must go above and beyond, from the commercial and institutional areas of the club to the sponsors and development of players at La Masia,” Ciria explained. He believes that with Messi on board, the club can tap into new revenue streams and emerge from its current financial situation.
Messi’s Current Situation and Potential Return
Messi, 38, recently signed a new contract with Inter Miami, extending his stay with the MLS side until the end of the 2028 season. While this makes his return to Barcelona unlikely, there is still a desire to bring him back to the club in some capacity. Another presidential candidate, Victor Font, has also expressed his intention to bring back Messi, stating that his “first call” would be to the legendary player if he wins the elections.
Current president Joan Laporta’s relationship with Messi was strained due to the player’s departure in 2021, which was caused by the club’s financial constraints. However, Laporta has since attempted to heal the wounds by announcing plans to erect a statue of Messi at Camp Nou as part of a tribute to the player. Ciria, however, believes that a statue or tribute game is not enough to convince Messi to return. Instead, he wants to establish a solid agreement that would make Messi the club’s biggest ambassador.
Messi’s recent appearance at Camp Nou, where he expressed his desire to one day return to the club, has sparked hopes among fans that he may eventually come back. While it remains to be seen whether Ciria’s promise to bring back Messi will become a reality, one thing is certain – the legendary player’s legacy continues to be felt at Barcelona, and his potential return would be a significant boost to the club’s reputation and finances.
