Joan Laporta, who was previously the president at Camp Nou between 2003 and 2010, has said Lionel Messi will leave Barcelona this summer if anyone other than him is elected as the club's new president on Sunday. He said in the latest debate between the three candidates:
"I am sure that if someone else wins the election, Messi won't stay at the club. I have a good relationship with him; there's a lot of respect. We'll make him an offer based on the club's situation. Maybe we can't compete financially, but Messi is not ruled by money. He wants to end his career at the highest level possible."
Messi, 33, could walk away for nothing in June when his contract expires. He has not yet decided on his future beyond the end of the season, though, and will listen to the incoming president's proposal.
Font and Freixa, the other two candidates, also remain optimistic they can persuade Messi to sign a new deal despite interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City.
Source: transfermarketweb.com