“Last night, I returned to a place that I miss terribly. A place where I was so happy. You (the fans) have made me feel many times like the happiest person in the world here. I hope that one day I can come back, and not just to say goodbye as a player…”. These few words from Lionel Messi, accompanied by photos on the Camp Nou pitch, set Barcelona and all of Spain on fire on Monday.
Indeed, this visit surprised and took everyone in Catalonia by surprise, starting with the management of FC Barcelona, who was not aware of the actions of its legend. Obviously, among fans, the fantasy of a return of the man who is considered by many to be the best player in history is back, to the point where some already imagine the Argentinian combining with Lamine Yamal.
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A standoff with Laporta?
But according to various Spanish media, Messi’s surprise return to the Camp Nou pitch does not necessarily go in the direction of a return as a player, for the moment at least. As indicated El Chiringuito de Jugonesit is above all a rather “political” maneuver against Joan Laporta, president of Barça with whom he has been on very bad terms since his departure. “It’s a way of saying, this is my home”indicated Edu Aguirre on the set of the show. The presidential elections at the end of the season would also be in the Argentinian’s sights. A priori not as a candidate for club president, but possibly as a support figure for another candidate.
And Messi could clearly have tried to discredit Laporta with this action. “The photo is a slap in the face to Joan Laporta”for his part explained Jota Jordi, another consultant for the show. There Cadena SER also indicates that recently, the president of Barça attempted a rapprochement, but the player did not want to hear anything. A little revenge from the Argentinian, while waiting to know if a return as a player is possible…
