Joan Laporta wasted no time making headlines after his landslide re-election as FC Barcelona president, opening the door for Lionel Messi to return to the club in some capacity before 2031.
Speaking to TV3 in the early hours following his emphatic 68% victory over Victor Font, Laporta said: "Leo will remain connected to FC Barcelona in whatever way he chooses. The doors of Barça are always open to him whenever he wants to continue strengthening and bringing greatness to this institution."
The Argentine legend dominated the election campaign, with Font repeatedly criticising Laporta for overseeing Messi's exit in 2021 and blocking his return in 2023 — claims corroborated by former coach Xavi Hernández and former sporting director Mateu Alemany. Despite the controversy, Laporta won convincingly with 32,934 votes to Font's 14,385.
Laporta went further, suggesting that Messi deserves a testimonial match and a statue outside the Spotify Camp Nou — joining only Ladislao Kubala and Johan Cruyff as club legends honoured in that way. He also vowed the club would be "unstoppable" under his new mandate, citing Hansi Flick's brilliant work and Barcelona's four-point lead at the top of La Liga as proof the project is thriving.
The Messi saga remains unresolved, with Xavi claiming Laporta personally blocked the 38-year-old's return in 2023 out of fear it would trigger a wage war in the dressing room. Laporta has denied these allegations, claiming Jorge Messi told him they preferred Miami over a return to Barcelona. Whether Messi himself will ever respond publicly remains to be seen — but with Laporta in charge until 2031, the door is officially ajar.
