Font Pledges to Contact Messi if Elected Barcelona President

Victor Font, a leading challenger in FC Barcelona's upcoming presidential election, has pledged to contact Lionel Messi as his first act if elected, aiming to reintegrate the club's legendary forward into its fold. The race, slated for March or April 2026, pits Font against incumbent Joan Laporta, reviving tensions from Messi's emotional 2021 departure amid the club's financial woes.

Font, who lost to Laporta in the 2021 vote, has launched his campaign with a focus on restoring transparency and reconnecting with Barcelona's icons. In recent interviews, he accused Laporta of repeatedly using Messi's image for political gain, particularly during the previous election when Laporta promised to retain the Argentine star only for financial constraints to force his exit to Paris Saint-Germain months later. "What we shouldn't do is try to exploit him," Font said. "I think Laporta has done it, and he's done it many times, and I think he's done it wrong." He cited the 2021 campaign as a prime example of a broken promise, arguing that Barcelona had the financial levers to keep Messi but prioritized other alignments, including negotiations over La Liga's economic rules and the European...