Laporta Reveals Strained Relationship with Messi

Joan Laporta, the former president of FC Barcelona, has revealed that his relationship with Lionel Messi is strained, particularly following Messi's departure from the club in 2021. Messi left his boyhood club to join Paris Saint-Germain and later moved to Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.

Laporta met Messi in person at the Ballon d'Or ceremony two years after Messi's departure, which took place in 2023. During this encounter, Messi did not greet Laporta, suggesting that he holds a grudge regarding his exit from Barcelona.

Laporta had initially thought they could reconcile and hoped for a cordial future relationship, but Messi's refusal to shake hands at the ceremony indicated ongoing tensions. The strained relationship stems from the summer of 2021 when Messi signed a new contract with Barcelona, which was later canceled due to the club's financial difficulties, preventing them from retaining the player.