Leo Messi's return takes center stage in the Barça elections

BarcelonaA few months ago, Leo Messi's seemingly impromptu photo shoot at the new Camp Nou It shook the institutional peace of Joan Laporta's Barça. Four and a half years after his last visit to the Blaugrana facilities, in November the Argentine decided to revisit them, without informing anyone at the club. Accompanied by his teammate Rodrigo de Paul and his ever-present advisor Pepe Costa, he stood at one of the guard booths surrounding the grounds and asked the security personnel for permission to access the pitch. Wish granted. It was Messi knocking on the door. The image stirred consciences: it directly appealed to Barça nostalgia and, indirectly, highlighted the breakdown in relations between the Argentine star and President Laporta, who made Messi's continuity a broken promise in 2021. Two years later, even Hernández failed to make it possible.

On the eve of new elections, Messi is once again one of the key figures in the campaign. So much so, that this Wednesday a giant banner appeared at the intersection of Aribau Street and Travessera de Gràcia with the text "Looking forward to seeing you again" and an iconic image of the star displaying the number 10 during a comeback victory against Real Madrid a few years ago. Behind this initiative is Marc Ciria's candidacy, the 42 Movement, and the cheeky reference is none other than the banner Joan Laporta placed near the Bernabéu five years ago with the phrase "Looking forward to seeing you all again." When asked that evening if he had Messi's consent, Ciria explained that it was "a tribute" and not an action agreed upon with the Argentine. Regarding whether he had been inspired by Laporta's 2021 banner, he concluded: "One shows his face, we show the best player in the world."

In the 2021 elections, Messi, whose contract was expiring, went to vote accompanied by his eldest son, Thiago. However, he doesn't plan to vote in the elections on March 15th. He retains his love for Barça and remains a club member, but now his life revolves around Florida, home to Inter Miami and a major advertising asset, both for Adidas, his main sponsor, and for Major League Soccer, which champions the sport by featuring the Argentine – and other former Barça players, like Luis – in the competition at the club owned by David Beckham. Messi is happy in Miami, where he has a good friend who is a coach, Javier Mascherano, and friends loyal fans, apart from the names already mentioned in the locker room, such as Rodrigo de Paul.

However, the former Barcelona star has always publicly reiterated his desire to return to Barcelona and Barça, without specifying a date, as he has a contract in Miami until December 2028. That's why the Argentine's name has resurfaced this season. The latest reference to this comes from Laporta – who presented his candidacy, "We Defend Barça," this Tuesday.– Regarding Messi, it was said—following the footballer's visit to Camp Nou—that he deserves a statue there, like Johan Cruyff and Ladislau Kubala, and that they were "working on it." The rift between Laporta and Messi, due to the feeling of betrayal the player experienced in both 2021 and 2023, means the lawyer can no longer rely on that tactic.

Víctor Font and Marc Ciria, ready for Messi's return

Víctor Font, for his part, expects to announce news related to the Argentine. The pre-candidate for the Nosotros group has been cautious, but has always advocated for Messi's return. "The first thing I'll do if I win the elections is call him," he stated a few days ago. "The intention is to reconcile with Messi. We'll soon explain the project, with a sporting, institutional, and commercial component, and see what he thinks. We should also talk to Flick and see what's best," the businessman from Vallès added today. Marc Ciria, who is making his debut in an election pre-campaign, is the one who has stirred things up the most. In fact, apart from the banner he has installed just above Barcelona's Diagonal, this Wednesday afternoon he will bring up Messi's name at the presentation of the headquarters of Moviment 42, his candidacy to preside over Barça. Ciria has argued for years that Messi, when he still played for Barcelona, ​​generated more money for the club than he earned. The economist and financier will detail a project to bring the Argentine, who will turn 39 in June, back to the club this summer as a player. His proposal, drafted with the player's consent, aims to generate a significant economic impact (sponsorships, ticket sales, merchandising, associated assets, etc.) of between 200 and 300 million euros. It will be summarized as a commercial alliance based on a last dance after the Argentine plays in the World Cup this summer at 39 years old.

"A revolution for sporting management"

Beyond Messi, Font presented his sporting project this Wednesday. The leader of Nosotros proposed "a revolution for sporting management." Therefore, he outlined a structure based on a "trident." This trident consists of three Catalan professionals with experience both at Barça and abroad, the businessman from Granollers explained. "They have worked alongside the best, like Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique." These three are Carles Planchart, Francesc Cos, and Albert Puig. Planchart, who has been an advisor to Pep Guardiola for over two decades, would take on the role of technical director. Puig, who spent eleven years at La Masia, would be in charge of the youth academy, while Cos, with experience at both Barça and City, would oversee cross-functional management to optimize sporting performance.