New Barcelona president Laporta speaks on Messi's future

The Catalan won a second term as FC Barcelona president on Sunday and has now opened up on his biggest priority in keeping Messi.

Joan Laporta is hopeful he can convince Lionel Messi to stay put at FC Barcelona after he won the club’s presidential election by a landslide.

With 54.28% of the 55,611 votes cast in Sunday’s election, the 58-year-old comfortably beat fellow presidential candidates Victor Font (29.99%) and Toni Freixa (8.58%) to win a second term at the helm in Catalonia.

🗳 2021 ELECTION 🗳

The final tally of the FC Barcelona presidential election with 100% of the vote counted. pic.twitter.com/dVS33mjpXe

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 7, 2021

Now Laporta, who was previously the president between 2003 and 2010, will do all he can to keep Messi at Camp Nou.

The Barcelona captain’s contract expires in the summer, making him available for a free transfer to any club of his choice. No decision on his future, though, has been made yet. He intends to learn more of Laporta’s plans before deciding whether to continue a career-long association with the Blaugrana or not.

Seeing Messi cast his vote in Sunday’s election for the first time, however, has given Laporta hope.

“Today marks 20 years since a boy named Leo Messi debuted with Barcelona’s Infantil B [U12-13] team,” said Laporta after his win was announced.

“Seeing the best player in the world come to vote with his son is an example of what we’ve said. Leo loves Barcelona. That’s the reflection of it. The best player in the world loves Barcelona.

“Hopefully that will help him to stay at Barcelona. That’s what we want.”

🎙 Joan Laporta: "The fact that the best player in the world came to vote today, along with his son, is proof that Leo #Messi loves Barça." pic.twitter.com/plnEpSAlfu

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 7, 2021

Laporta also has several major problems to address, including Barcelona’s enormous debts and the long-term future of his coaching staff.

“There are many challenges ahead of us and we will surely achieve them,” he said.

“We are a great family, we have a great feeling. We all have to work together to face the challenges ahead. What we can do most for Barca is to love it, to love it more than ever. Long live Barca and long live Catalonia.”