Joan Laporta claims Messi will leave if he doesn’t win the Barcelona Presidential election

Lionel Messi-Barcelona
Lionel Messi-Barcelona

Barcelona presidential elections are just around the corner and candidate Joan Laporta has claimed that Lionel Messi will leave the Spanish club if he does not win the election.

The presidential elections are set to take place on the 7th of March and Laporta seems to be using Messi has his trump card to win the contest.

The Argentine superstar will be a free agent at the end of this season and he has not signed an extension with the Spanish outfit yet.

Lionel Messi is undoubtedly the best player in Barcelona’s history and the Spanish club cannot afford to let him leave on a free transfer.

Apparently, the player is thought to be frustrated with the direction the club is heading in and he wants to win the major trophies once again.

It remains to be seen if Barcelona can convince him that he can fulfil his ambitions at Camp Nou.

The player has been linked with the likes of Paris Saint Germain and Manchester City in recent months.

“I have a great relationship with Leo [Messi] and he will consider whatever proposal I make,” said Laporta.

“If I don’t win, I am sure that Leo will not stay at Barcelona. Messi will weight up the offer we make him,” said Laporta. I’m convinced that if the other candidates win, Messi will not remain at Barcelona. He wasn’t happy during Freixa’s time on the board. He’s not guided just by money. He wants a competitive team to win. I’m sure he’ll listen to my offer, just as I am [sure] that if someone else wins he will leave.”