Looking for Soccer News?
Laporta 'scared' Messi could leave Barcelona due to club's board
The former Catalan boss believes those currently running matters at Camp Nou could push their biggest star away
Former Barcelona president Joan Laporta has admitted he's "scared" Lionel Messi might not extend his stay with the club due to their current board situation.
Messi is contracted at Camp Nou until 2021 and his relationship with Barca's current boss Josep Maria Bartomeu is reportedly far from perfect making an extension complicated.
While Bartomeu recently stressed his confidence that the Argentine will re-sign and likely see out his career at Barcelona, Laporta isn't so certain.
Though hopeful Messi will remain at the club, Laporta noted Barca's current board members could force their star into a corner.
"I want him to stay in 2021 but I am scared that a bad decision of this board could result in an irreversible decision," Laporta said of Messi at an event at Sant Joan de Deu hospital on Wednesday.
"It's not BarcaGate, it's BartoGate, I am worried about how the status of the club is being put at risk."
Laporta, who is considering running for Barcelona president again, has also warned Xavi against returning to manage the club in its current state.
Bartomeu has declared Xavi will coach the Catalans "sooner or later" but the man himself has resisted initial calls to return until he's given more power to influence matters at the club.
"If I was Xavi, I would never be back with this board," Laporta said.
"Every day I have more desire to take part in the election. Some concrete conditions are needed for me to feel comfortable to run right now rather than resist for a few more years."
Speaking in May, Laporta expressed a clear desire to get Barcelona back on track, noting he'd love for Pep Guardiola to return and manage the club.
"I'm working to introduce myself as a presidential candidate," Laporta told TV3. "I've been president before and I'm excited to be back. The situation in 2021 will be dramatic and we'll have to reverse it. I'm working with people I trust.
“I would very much like Guardiola to come back, but now he is at City and it is a decision that Pep should take. He is a benchmark for Barcelona and many Catalans would like him to train Barca again.
“At the right time, I will speak to the person we think should be Barca coach from 2021.”
Barcelona are currently second in La Liga with Real Madrid poised to seal the title on Thursday should they beat Villarreal.
