Laporta offers Barcelona hope on Lionel Messi's future

The Barcelona skipper is out of contract at the end of the season and previously tried to leave the club last summer.

Joan Laporta is hopeful that Lionel Messi’s uncertain future at Barcelona is ‘reversible’ as the former club president continues his election campaign.

Messi’s future has been under constant speculation since requesting a transfer from Barcelona in the summer. Despite the club keeping him, however, he is expected to have his way next year.

The 33-year-old, as of June 2021, will become a free agent once next summer’s transfer window is open. He’ll be free to discuss terms with clubs from January onwards.

Lionel Messi: “I have nothing clear until the end of the year, I will wait for the end of the season. I don’t know if I’m going to leave or not and if I leave, I would like to leave in the best way.”

— Bolarinwa Olajide (@iambolar) December 27, 2020

But Laporta is confident Messi’s future, along with the club’s financial difficulties, can be resolved.

“They are two things that are the result of poor management,” presidential hopeful Laporta told AS.

“The situation has worsened with Covid, but mismanagement is part of and is the origin of this consequence; having Leo like this.

“The two things are reversible. The situation of the club is reversible and the Leo issue, I hope too.

“I think the most important thing is that Leo said he will wait for a new president to decide and, therefore, he would be willing to listen to Barca’s proposal.

“They told me they would wait until the end of the season. I like to stay with the positive and I think that is very positive.”

Barcelona will be without Messi for Tuesday’s La Liga match against Eibar at Camp Nou.