FC Barcelona: Joan Laporta reveals tension with Lionel Messi

Europe 23 February 2026 at 08:15

Joshua SOSSOU

News Editor

Evidently, the relationship between Joan Laporta and Lionel Messi has hit rock bottom since the Argentine's abrupt departure from FC Barcelona. That was in the summer of 2021.

Speaking on Catalunya Ràdio, the Blaugrana president Joan Laporta admitted that "relations are tense" with Lionel Messi, even sharing a striking episode from the 2023 Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris.

"My relationship with Messi is not what it used to be. There was an incident at the Ballon d'Or ceremony, where I went to greet him, and he felt we shouldn't greet each other. Since then, there has been some rapprochement, and I hope it will continue. The relationship is tense, but he remains a legend of FC Barcelona," confessed Joan Laporta.

He also confirmed that he was unaware of the Argentine's return to Camp Nou last November: "I knew he was in Barcelona because the Argentina national team was playing there, but I didn't know about the other reason. It's clear that if Messi wants to set foot on the pitch, he should be able to do so as soon as possible. It's his stadium. And that's what happened."