Joan Laporta: Lionel Messi Wants to Stay at Barcelona

DBasia.news – Barcelona president Joan Laporta says Lionel Messi wants to stay at the club, but financial regulations could prevent them from announcing the legendary player’s new contract.

The Argentine superstar could leave Camp Nou at the end of the month when his contract runs out, but Barca are looking to extend his tenure.

Messi wanted to leave last year and tried to activate his contract’s release clause, but he chose to stay because he did not want to take the Blaugrana to justice.

Laporta said the 33-year-old was now convinced of staying at Barca and they wanted to finalize his contract deal as soon as possible.

“Leo Messi’s shoes will continue to be on the Camp Nou pitch. He wants to stay. I’m not contemplating his refusal. It’s not easy. We’ll do what we can do,” Laporta said via Barcelona’s official website. “There’s no need to seduce him, he’s determined if there are conditions to make him stay.”

He added: “He’s fine but hasn’t signed a contract yet. Kun Aguero tells him every day: ‘sign the contract, we play together.'”

Laporta said Barca could not confirm a deal with Messi because they had to balance the balance sheet and comply with UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations.

The president admitted he had to sell several players to keep Messi.

“From an economic perspective, it makes it easier for us, but financial fair play is another matter,” he said. “We have to obey the rules, we will obey them. There will be sales and loans. Without paying transfers. We will do a lot of loans because we have a big salary line compared to other clubs.”

Although the 2020/2021 season ended disappointingly for Barca, Messi again finished as La Liga’s top scorer. He has found the net 30 times in 35 league appearances – seven goals more than nearest rival Gerard Moreno.

He also scored five Champions League goals and three in the Copa del Rey – their only trophy that season.