Barcelona presidential candidate, Joan Laporta has announced his candidacy for the top job with a promise to take the Catalan giant back to the top in the world. He also expressed confidence that the skipper, Lionel Messi will stay at the club beyond this season.
The presidential elections will be held on January 24. In his speech, Laporta, a former Barca president discussed his plans for the club and his desire to get the Blaugrana back to winning ways, leading them to the top of world football again.
“I announce my candidacy and I’m doing it because I love Barcelona, its people, its fans and La Masia. I love this club and I want to serve Barcelona again.
“We have the necessary preparation, experience, and determination to make the required change and to bring Barcelona back to the top of world football.
“There are millions of fans around the world who want another successful period. We have to recover the pride of Barcelona. I want to push the club to achieve this glory.
“I will work tirelessly so that Barcelona are an engine of optimism, to recover the motivation of our players and to dominate in the Champions League, which is our priority each season,” Laporta declared.
Speaking further, Laporta noted that Barcelona and the Champions League is a success story that has sadly been broken, promising that decisions that bring the club back to the top will be made if elected.
“Presiding over Barcelona was a great honour and they were the best years of my life, so doing it again is the biggest challenge I’ve had. If I have the members’ support, I’m sure we’ll do even better.”
Laporta plans long-term proposal for Messi at Barcelona
While noting that Messi and his family are already comfortable in Barcelona, he expressed confidence that the Argentine won’t join PSG or Manchester City for money as he loves the club. He is therefore planning a long-term proposal for the talisman.
“Messi’s future is one of the most pressing issues facing the club and Laporta knows that the captain has to stay. I’ve seen the love that Messi and his family have for Barcelona.
“He’s comfortable in Barcelona and so is his family. He wouldn’t move to Paris or Manchester for money, but we have to be aware that we have to recognize players and value them. There will be time to talk, we can make a long-term proposal that will motivate him,” Laporta said.
On the likely new arrivals at the club, Laporta said it would be addressed but he is unwilling to name the likely new faces at the club.
“Transfers are something that will undoubtedly need to be addressed, but, for now, the presidential candidate isn’t willing to talk about possible arrivals. It would be disrespectful to our excellent first-team players to talk about that.
“We have to push them to succeed, we won’t destabilize them by talking about that.”
It is expected that the future of Messi would be decided immediately after the election as each candidate wants the Argentine to stay at the club he has been since the age of 13.
Messi had tendered a transfer request in the summer but was turned down by the La Liga club. As from January, the skipper can negotiate with any club of his choice. His contract expires in June 2021.
