Former Barcelona presidential candidate Victor Font has hit out at Joan Laporta, suggesting his rival had failed Argentina's World Cup winning captain Lionel Messi and has stunted the club's growth through controversial economic levers.
Laporta claimed last week that he would 'love' Messi to return to the Nou Camp, but played down the chances of the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner rejoining due to his contract with PSG.
It has only been 16 months since Messi left Barcelona with the club unable to renew his contract due to their dire financial situation.
Speculation has persisted around a potential return, despite the club's weak financial position and Messi giving his verbal consent to a contract extension at PSG after his World Cup heroics.
Font has taken aim at his former rival Laporta, telling Catalan newspaper La Vanguardia that the club has 'not lived up to the historical level of Messi'.
'Hopefully we will be able to take perspective, and make a proper analysis of everything,' Font said.
'And may the conclusions help us understand that, also in the world of emotions, good will, barbecue and determination are not enough to face the complex challenges and new opportunities that arise in the world of football and sports.
'In this case, the most important thing in any life project has been missing: vision, good planning and talent.'
Font suggested keeping Messi would have generated more money for the club than the forward would have cost, claiming his World Cup success would have added further value.
Laporta, who beat Font and Toni Freixa in the three-way contest to become Barcelona President for the second time last year, received further criticism for his use of 'economic levers'.
'The so-called levers have been closed without a plan, quickly and running, and they do not help the club's assets grow,' Font said.
Barca had raised £750m in the summer by leasing 25 per cent of future TV rights over the next 25 years to investment fund Sixth Street and selling 49 per cent of Barça Studios, the club's in-house film production operation.
The club have been warned to reduce their wage bill ahead of the start of next season or face further punishment from LaLiga.
Cadabimuz
0
What barca does to a man
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so true i was sad for both greizeman and lewa
wiccdeklop
0
Messi won international trophy after he left Barca so Messi should not return back to Barca
Messi won Copa America while he was in Barcelona
Benxavi10
1
This snitch of a president
Yecbmnrs
1
barcelona let busquets go he is old now and go sign the Morocco International Amrabat if you want your midfielder strong
RomarioTru
0
i think font say he would sell messi
Sonlove23
0
4me Laportais right letting Messi to go and allow young generation
So where are the young generations? Lewandowski right?
Puzbdelop
1
Laporta wanted the GOAT to play for free for Barca. Nobody is above the club, but no club is above any player that contributes that much to the sport.
bauadkmotz
2
Messi should just come to FC Barca and retire ❤️
Ancientman
4
Font is man of many sides. He was the first to harbor the idea of discarding Messi once he becomes president; now he's talking the opposite.
phemoranking
2
so is today that you know that,laporta is senseless.
Zuualmrs
0
Neaadenrz
0
Laporta is a mad MAN
Abbas Salim
3
Messi leaving the club gave him the energy and concentration to focus on national team which he could have while at Barcelona. Since to Messi anything comes second to his beloved club. He was always exhausted both physically and mentally when playing for Argentina.
DIEGOGH
2
laporta is a useless president in Barcelona
elba1212
3
4me Laportais right letting Messi to go and allow young generation
vaadlmuyz
3
Messi won international trophy after he left Barca so Messi should not return back to Barca
hesbdlmnpz
6
Messi winning the world cup was for me the best. If staying in Barca would have prevented him from winning it, I think the psg move was the best.
Luucdiln
0
True, he was wrong to let the football Master to go.He was supposed to keep him underwhat circumstances....Period!
Lukaeims
0
‼️ Ronald Koeman to Josep Maria Bartomeu at a private meeting in a restaurant back in August 2020: "Messi is the only one. I've told Ramon [Planes, Barca's former sporting director] this morning that we'll speak to him tomorrow if possible. I don't know where he is.” - Bartomeu: "He's somewhere close.” - Koeman: "You and me, we have to talk to him.” - Bartomeu: “Okay.” - Koeman: "We want him to stay.” - Bartomeu: “Exactly.” - Koeman: "I want him to stay. I want him to keep being the best in the world. But he also has to know we're making changes to the team [Koeman hints at the future Luis Suarez exit]. We won't mention any names. We're just making changes. We'll give a chance to younger players. If he [Messi] wants to follow along... If not, with all due respect, he has to say yes or no. If not it's...” - Bartomeu: "It's a problem for the team." - Koeman: "So we can say to the press that we have talked to Messi and he doesn't want to stay. We respect it, it's his decision, but everyone has to know that he doesn't want to stay. We do want him to stay. I'm gonna work with people who want to be here." - Bartomeu: "Exactly." - Koeman: "Even if it's about the best player in the world." Basically, Koeman wanted to kick Luis Suarez out before Messi found out what's going on – and that's what he and Bartomeu succeeded at. However, all those events led to the Argentine's revealing interview he gave the following month. Messi revealed that he wanted to leave the club but Bartomeu forced him to stay. A few months later, Bartomeu was forced to resign as the Barcelona president. #EK10
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zwagreat bro...whoever you are respect.......
SURFASASFUC
3
Please LIKE if you agree that Laporta must be sacked or dislike if not.
khembeen29
0
Laporta u need to do more and ure nor tryin atall to pursuit Goat to come back to his home and also mr coach boths dd not trying atal@VF yeah i concur?
SURFASASFUC
2
LAPORTA STILL NEEDS TO BE SACKED, LIED TO MESSI AND THE FANS, No Excuse.
fueacmnu
0
Messi is bigger than barca, remove what he won for barca, and tell me what remain for them
These
ManUnited-Red
1
Laporta is the worse president who has Madrid in his head 24/7
Agyemangisaac
1
Victor is right, Laporta should have done anything and keep Messi.
Idris144
1
I praise him for not keeping Messi. Getting Messi out of Barça's system helped him to play with Argentina. It's the best we've seen him play for country after taking a year to adapt at PSG. Also no one is bigger than the club. Good move for both parties.
Messi is bigger than barca, remove what he won for barca, and tell me what remain for them
AJstyles10
1
messi should have leave Barcelona after Luis Enrique left. but it doesn't matter only thing matters is messi happy and Barcelona you failed in that
Mekaeklnoz
0
‼️ Ronald Koeman to Josep Maria Bartomeu at a private meeting in a restaurant back in August 2020: "Messi is the only one. I've told Ramon [Planes, Barca's former sporting director] this morning that we'll speak to him tomorrow if possible. I don't know where he is.” - Bartomeu: "He's somewhere close.” - Koeman: "You and me, we have to talk to him.” - Bartomeu: “Okay.” - Koeman: "We want him to stay.” - Bartomeu: “Exactly.” - Koeman: "I want him to stay. I want him to keep being the best in the world. But he also has to know we're making changes to the team [Koeman hints at the future Luis Suarez exit]. We won't mention any names. We're just making changes. We'll give a chance to younger players. If he [Messi] wants to follow along... If not, with all due respect, he has to say yes or no. If not it's...” - Bartomeu: "It's a problem for the team." - Koeman: "So we can say to the press that we have talked to Messi and he doesn't want to stay. We respect it, it's his decision, but everyone has to know that he doesn't want to stay. We do want him to stay. I'm gonna work with people who want to be here." - Bartomeu: "Exactly." - Koeman: "Even if it's about the best player in the world." Basically, Koeman wanted to kick Luis Suarez out before Messi found out what's going on – and that's what he and Bartomeu succeeded at. However, all those events led to the Argentine's revealing interview he gave the following month. Messi revealed that he wanted to leave the club but Bartomeu forced him to stay. A few months later, Bartomeu was forced to resign as the Barcelona president. #EK10
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you said a secred hw do you know ?
zaoaceilpy
1
Laporte is hypocrite he never intend keeping Messi
itz_me_ojei
4
‼️ Ronald Koeman to Josep Maria Bartomeu at a private meeting in a restaurant back in August 2020: "Messi is the only one. I've told Ramon [Planes, Barca's former sporting director] this morning that we'll speak to him tomorrow if possible. I don't know where he is.” - Bartomeu: "He's somewhere close.” - Koeman: "You and me, we have to talk to him.” - Bartomeu: “Okay.” - Koeman: "We want him to stay.” - Bartomeu: “Exactly.” - Koeman: "I want him to stay. I want him to keep being the best in the world. But he also has to know we're making changes to the team [Koeman hints at the future Luis Suarez exit]. We won't mention any names. We're just making changes. We'll give a chance to younger players. If he [Messi] wants to follow along... If not, with all due respect, he has to say yes or no. If not it's...” - Bartomeu: "It's a problem for the team." - Koeman: "So we can say to the press that we have talked to Messi and he doesn't want to stay. We respect it, it's his decision, but everyone has to know that he doesn't want to stay. We do want him to stay. I'm gonna work with people who want to be here." - Bartomeu: "Exactly." - Koeman: "Even if it's about the best player in the world." Basically, Koeman wanted to kick Luis Suarez out before Messi found out what's going on – and that's what he and Bartomeu succeeded at. However, all those events led to the Argentine's revealing interview he gave the following month. Messi revealed that he wanted to leave the club but Bartomeu forced him to stay. A few months later, Bartomeu was forced to resign as the Barcelona president. #EK10
KHMMURU07
1
Imagine all sponsors ,respect and accolades Barca could have received from mere Messi presence in their team . . . . . Laporta always makes a smart move sadly today he regret letting Messi go and Barca financial crises ain't going no where green.
Rickytommy
4
He is correct he said he will keep messi if he wins the election people voted for him then he let me messi go saying we had no money to keep or register him , the next minute he went for Lewandowski, Raphina, kounde, where did all this money came from ? messi alone was better than all them
itz_me_ojei
4
Qatar University will turn the room Leo Messi stayed at during the World Cup into a mini museum 🇦🇷 The university campus was Argentina's home base for their entire stay in Doha.
Sssmansy
2
What barca does to a man
yeakmnptyz
0
I praise him for not keeping Messi. Getting Messi out of Barça's system helped him to play with Argentina. It's the best we've seen him play for country after taking a year to adapt at PSG. Also no one is bigger than the club. Good move for both parties.
Even he stay or leave he was meant to win World Cup because he is the goat
Youngking10
3
that's the mindset of politicians they talk anyhow
CallmeCJ
6
I praise him for not keeping Messi. Getting Messi out of Barça's system helped him to play with Argentina. It's the best we've seen him play for country after taking a year to adapt at PSG. Also no one is bigger than the club. Good move for both parties.