Víctor Font has encouraged Lionel Messi to “explain the truth” about his failed return to Barcelona as the Inter Miami CF forward takes on an increasingly significant role in the club’s presidential election.
Barça members — socis— will go to the polls on Sunday to vote for the Spanish champions’ next president, with Font running against current incumbent Joan Laporta.
The build-up to that vote has been dominated by Messi since former Barça coach Xavi Hernández accused Laporta of blocking his return in 2023 because he feared a power struggle.
“I don’t think Messi will say anything between now and Sunday, but I hope he does,” Font said at an event on Tuesday.
“I hope he tells the truth so that the socis don’t go to the polls misled by Laporta and blinded by the smoke screen of hope generated by Hansi Flick and the young players.”
In an interview on Monday, Xavi claimed an agreement with Messi was in place three years ago when he was set to leave Paris Saint-Germain, adding that LaLiga had even agreed to the financial side of the deal, which corresponds with comments made by Laporta at the time.
However, Xavi added, Laporta, fearing a “war” with the player whose sudden departure he had overseen in 2021, pulled the plug on the operation.
Laporta said that Xavi’s version is not true, claiming that it was the player’s father, Jorge Messi who walked away from the deal, explaining that his son preferred a move to Inter Miami away from the spotlight he would be under in Barcelona.
After calling Laporta a liar, Xavi insinuated Messi held the same opinion as him on the Barça president, although said he did not want to speak for him.
Speaking on Monday, Laporta said he was “not afraid” of the possibility of either Messi or his father speaking out before Sunday’s election.
Laporta has admitted in the past that his relationship with Messi deteriorated following the Argentina star’s exit in 2021, when Laporta had, in part, been elected on the promise of being the candidate who would be able to keep Messi at the club.
Font has played on that during the current election campaign, stressing the importance of bringing Messi back to the club and explaining that he will offer him a role immediately if he is elected.
“I would call Lionel Messi on Monday,” he told Jijantes when asked what he would do if he wins the election.
“I would explain the plan we have. We will tell him that Barça should never have broken the relationship with the best player ever. There are thousands of socis still hurting and wanting a reconciliation.
“Firstly, on an institutional level, we would offer him the chance to be the club’s honorary president, if passed by the assembly. Secondly, money, money, money. We are losing millions by not having a relationship with him.
“Thirdly, what’s the best send off for him? He can decide that.”
