Lionel Messi and Barcelona president Joan Laporta don’t appear to have parted ways on the best of terms.
Though, as far as we have been made aware, there was not a great deal that Laporta could have done to prevent Messi’s exit, he will be remembered as the president that allowed the greatest player of all-time to walk out of Barcelona.
Messi revealed his willingness to take a 50% pay reduction, with the Argentine under the belief that the deal was agreed and he’d be staying with Barcelona. As we’re sure you’re aware, that never actually came to fruition.
As a result, Messi has been forced out of his beloved club, with Laporta left to pick up the pieces. Judging by this pretty cold handshake Laporta was given before Sunday’s press conference, it’s safe to say there’s no love lost between the pair.
Així va saludar Messi a Rafael Yuste i Joan Laporta en la seva arribada a la roda de premsa de comiat. pic.twitter.com/Gglmfhtd94
— Joan Solé Giménez (@JoanSole_) August 9, 2021
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The door will presumably be open for Messi to return to Barcelona after his set-to-be-signed Paris Saint-Germain contract expires, but if Laporta is still at the helm when it does, will he actually want to go back?