FFormer Barcelona president Joan Laporta has publicly admitted that his relationship with Lionel Messi is not what it once was. Laporta has sincerely reflected on his relationship with the Argentine footballer, admitting that it has cooled down to such an extent that recent episodes left an impression on him.
According to Laporta, one of the most important moments came during the 2023 Ballon d’Or gala. “There was an incident when I went to greet him at the Ballon d’Or ceremony and he thought we shouldn’t greet each other,” he said. The gesture signaled the distance that was already building, and ultimately confirmed that the relationship was damaged.
Laporta assured that after this episode there were attempts to get even closer, although so far without decisive success. “The relationship is not what it used to be,” he admitted, leaving the door open for a future reconciliation. Despite everything, he wanted to emphasize the respect and admiration he continues to have for the former Barcelona player, saying: “The relationship has been damaged, but he is a Barcelona myth.”
This recognition is a combination of nostalgia and caution. Because Laporta made it clear that, beyond individual and organizational differences, Messi’s character remains unchanged throughout the club’s history.
