FC Barcelona
The former Barcelona president demands that the Rosario star say goodbye to the blaugrana fans without making his return conditional on Joan Laporta’s presence
Joan Gaspart and Leo Messi
JESÚS MATA / RYAN MITCHELL
Updated
'Joan Gaspart has spoken out again about Leo Messi and did so with a forceful message on the podcast "Solo Para Culés." The former Barcelona president spoke about the Argentine's possible farewell at Camp Nou and made it clear that, in his view, the player should return to say goodbye to the fans regardless of who holds the club's presidency.'
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Gaspart maintains a special bond with Messi, since he was Barça's president when the Argentine arrived at the club at just 13 years old. Precisely because of that relationship, he wanted to make it clear that his words do not call into question the importance of the number 10 in the club's history.
"I say this from the historical love I have for a player whom I signed when he was 13 years old and I was the president of Barça," Gaspart explained during the podcast. However, the former executive believes that Messi should not place his personal circumstances above the institution. "He should be careful. Barça is above him," he stated.
"Let him be careful, I say it from the long-standing love I have for a player I signed when he was 13 years old
Joan Gaspart
One of the points he focused on was the relationship between Messi and Joan Laporta. Gaspart believes that the presence of the current president should not be an obstacle for the Argentine to return to Camp Nou and receive the fans' recognition.
'"Whoever the president is, let him come and say goodbye to Barça," said the former blaugrana president, who was even more forceful when speaking about a possible tribute conditioned on Laporta's departure.'
"If Leo Messi comes to say goodbye and doesn't come because Laporta is the president and comes the day Laporta is no longer there, I would not go to that tribute," he stated. Gaspart closed his remarks with a phrase that sums up his stance on the role Messi should have with regard to the club: "Who does he think he is?".