Former Barcelona president Joan Gaspart has criticised Lionel Messi over the delay in the Argentine football legend’s farewell to the club, warning him against allowing his strained relationship with current president Joan Laporta to stand in the way.
Gaspart, who was Barcelona president when Messi joined the club’s youth set-up at the age of 13, said the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner must recognise the club’s importance, regardless of who occupies the presidential seat.
Speaking on the Sólo para Culés podcast, Gaspart questioned whether Messi would agree to return to Barcelona for an official farewell while Laporta remains president.
“He is a great player, the best in the world, partly I won’t say what percentage thanks to Barça. Therefore, he cannot forget that,” Gaspart said.
He added that he would become increasingly concerned if Messi placed any obstacle in the way of returning to the club to bid farewell to supporters.
“Whoever the president may be, he must come and say goodbye to Barça. If Leo Messi only comes to say goodbye the day Laporta is no longer here, and refuses to come because Laporta is the president, I wouldn’t give him a tribute. Who does he think he is?” he said.
Gaspart further warned the former Barcelona captain against putting personal differences ahead of the club’s interests.
“Barcelona is bigger than him, and he should be careful, he should be careful,” he added.
The criticism has revived debate over the breakdown in relations between Messi and Laporta following the forward’s departure from Barcelona in 2021.
Messi left the Catalan club after Barcelona failed to renew his contract, with Laporta attributing the decision to the club’s financial difficulties and restrictions on its wage bill.
The Argentine, who spent more than two decades at Barcelona, subsequently joined Paris Saint-Germain before moving to Major League Soccer side Inter Miami in 2023.
Tensions resurfaced in 2023 when Messi’s anticipated return to Barcelona failed to materialise. Laporta later maintained that Messi and his father, Jorge, had opted for Miami because of concerns about the pressure surrounding a return to the club.
However, former Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández challenged that account in an interview with La Vanguardia in March 2026, claiming that Laporta had blocked the proposed reunion despite progress towards an agreement.
Xavi alleged that Laporta told him Messi’s return would lead to a power struggle. Laporta’s account of the failed move and Xavi’s allegations remain disputed.
Gaspart’s latest remarks centre on the prospect of an official farewell for Messi at Barcelona, where he remains the club’s record goalscorer and appearance maker. The former president insists that any tribute should take place regardless of who leads the club.
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