"Barca is above him": Former Barcelona president warns Messi

Former FC Barcelona president Joan Gaspart has issued a surprising criticism of Lionel Messi, reminding the Argentine star that the Catalan club will always be bigger than any individual player.

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A warning from the president who signed him

Gaspart who famously signed Messi to his first contract when the forward was just 13 year old, acknowledged the player’s unparalleled status in the sport but maintained that the institution must come first.

"Leo is unquestionably the best in the world and a great player but there is one thing he must never forget, Barcelona is above him. He needs to be careful" Gaspart told the media.

The former president emphasised that Messi’s development into a global icon was heavily dependent on the platform provided by the Catalan club.

"I say this from the perspective of my historical love for the player I signed myself when I was president... Barcelona is above Messi the person. He is the best in the world and partly thanks to Barcelona" he added.

The demand for a proper tribute

Gaspart also expressed frustration over the lack of a proper farewell for the club's all time top scorer challenging Messi to return to Camp Nou to say goodbye to the supporters.

He indicated that current tensions with president Joan Laporta should not prevent the tribute.

"I will give him some time, but what would really bother me is if he doesn't make the slightest effort to come to Barcelona and say goodbye to the fans, regardless of who the president is" Gaspart stated adding that he would refuse to attend any tribute if Messi deliberately avoided doing so during Laporta's tenure.

Lamine Yamal takes centre stage

To illustrate how the new generation is moving on from the Messi era, Gaspart shared a revealing anecdote about his own family’s shifting loyalties towards current academy sensation Lamine Yamal.

"I have four great grandchildren. I asked them when I wanted to buy them a Barcelona shirt: 'Should I put Messi or Lamine Yamal?' They answered immediately: 'Lamine, of course,'" he recalled.

When Gaspart asked if they knew who Messi was, explaining that he was the best player in history, the children remained unmoved, replying:

"Even so, we want Lamine's shirt"

It remains to be seen whether Messi or his camp will respond to Gaspart’s comments. Meanwhile, Barcelona are currently finalising the redevelopment of Camp Nou which the current administration views as the ideal venue for a future official tribute to the Argentine forward once construction is complete.

Khaled Hegazy |

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Journaliste sportif spécialisé dans la couverture du football et la création de contenu numérique, alliant expérience éditoriale et expertise des médias sociaux.

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