New President, Juan Laporta says his administration will have no difficulty convincing Lionel Messi to stay because “the best player in the world loves Barcelona”.
Laporta, who was elected on Sunday, spoke after defeating Victor Font and Toni Freixa to become the club’s president for a second time.
He previously held sway between 2003 and 2010.
Speaking after his victory, the 58-year-old said, “Today marks 20 years since a boy named Leo Messi debuted with Barcelona’s Infantil B [U12-13] team.
Seeing the best player in the world come to vote with his son is an example of what we’ve said.
“Leo loves Barcelona. That’s the reflection of it. The best player in the world loves Barcelona.
“Hopefully that will help him to stay at Barcelona. That’s what we want.”