Joan Gaspart lashes out at Leo Messi: "Who does he think he is?"

BarcelonaFormer Barça president Joan Gaspart has strongly attacked Leo Messi. "He is indisputably the best player in the world, but he must not forget that Barça is above him," he said on the podcast Only for Culés.

Gaspart, who was the top official of the blue and garnet entity when the Argentine star arrived at the club, at just 13 years old, has lamented how Messi managed his farewell from the Camp Nou. "Who does he think he is?", he said, in reference to the fact that the forward conditions his farewell on the president who happens to be in charge at that moment.

It is no secret that the relationship between Leo Messi and Joan Laporta was left very damaged after the Argentine footballer's departure from Barça in the summer of 2021. The only farewell act held for him was at the Auditori 1899, a fact that prevented the Culé fans from saying goodbye to one of the best players who have passed through the club. "He should be careful, he is a great player, in part, thanks to Barça. He cannot forget that".

Since then, Leo Messi has only returned once to the Camp Nou, but he did so at night and in secret to see how the works were progressing at the stadium that saw him grow up and become the current icon.

After the statements, the criticisms of Gaspart did not take long to arrive. The pre-candidate for the Barça elections Marc Ciria has accused him of "pointing out and blaming the best player in the history of football and of Barça".

Last week Messi said goodbye to the Argentine national team with a match against Benin in which Lionel Scaloni's side thrashed them –with a goal from the number 10– and which put an end to his time with the national team (3-0). An emotional farewell at the Monumental in Buenos Aires, with the fans present in the stands and a final speech by Messi himself. An event that has once again opened the debate about the lack of a farewell from Barça.