Joan Laporta lifts the lid on his recent chat with Leo Messi

The relationship between the Barcelona president and Messi broke down after the latter had to leave the club in 2021.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta believes he has ‘recovered’ his friendship with Lionel Messi after a recent ‘pleasant conversation’ between the duo.

Things took a turn for the worse in 2021. Laporta infamously pulled the plug on a new contract for Messi, feeling it was beyond the club’s means financially. It forced the latter to leave for Paris Saint-Germain.

“I have spoken with him recently to rectify the situation after I had to put the club before everything, even him, the best player in the world,” Laporta told TV3 on Monday.

“It was a pleasant conversation. We have recovered the relationship we have had for many years.”

Will Messi rejoin Barca this summer?

After Barcelona sealed a 27th LaLiga title in Sunday’s 4-2 victory over Espanyol, Laporta vowed to do everything possible to bring Messi back to the Spotify Camp Nou.

The 35-year-old forward is expected to leave PSG when his contract ends in June. There are reports of interest from Al Hilal. The Saudi Arabian club has allegedly offered a record deal worth €400 million a year.

“With all due respect to Saudi Arabia — where a lot of good work and investment is taking place around the league there — Barca is Barca,” Laporta said.

“Barca is his home. Barca can compete with anyone. The history this club has and the feeling of our 400 million supporters is so strong.”

Laporta added that he is hopeful that LaLiga, which has strict FFP rules, will permit Barcelona to make signings despite the club’s economic limits.