Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi shoots during the Spanish Super Cup final football match between FC Barcelona and Athletic Club Bilbao at La Cartuja stadium in Seville on January 17, 2021.
In the coming months, Barcelona are facing two major challenges in their illustrious modern history – the long-awaited presidential elections and the possible departure of Lionel Messi from the club. Intriguingly, however, the two may be closely related to one another.
The three candidates in the race will have a tough task of somehow convincing Messi their sporting project is stable and good enough for him to stay and will have to do it soon. But time is exactly what they need and might not have.
With the elections officially getting postponed due to the current COVID-19 situation, it means Barcelona will be leader-less for a couple more months. Of course, they still have an interim president but until the matter is resolved, the club cannot truly move forward into a better future.
There is, however, one other problem with the postponed elections and Joan Laporta, one of the clear favourites to win the race and former president himself, has highlighted it recently when talking on Onda Cero’s radio program El Transistor.
🎙️Laporta
— El Transistor (@ElTransistorOC) January 18, 2021
"El aplazamiento de las elecciones no beneficia al club; si queremos que se quede Messi el Barça necesita ya un presidente y una Junta Directiva" #LaportaenElTransistor pic.twitter.com/yD9ViSDaYU
“Delaying the election doesn’t benefit Barcelona. If we want Leo Messi to stay, Barça need a president and a board right now,” said Laporta.
Laporta believes elections are key in ensuring Messi stays at the club. The player wants to do that but chances are he won’t if a clear structure is not put in place as soon as possible.
