MX23RW : Thursday, March 28 20:22:34| >> :120:8521:8521:

New Barcelona president determined to keep Lionel Messi

New Barcelona president determined to keep Lionel Messi
© Reuters
Joan Laporta was elected for a second spell last week.

Barcelona's new president Joan Laporta said he will try and persuade Lionel Messi to stay at the club in his inauguration ceremony at the Nou Camp.

Laporta, 58, elected as Barca's new president for a second spell last week, told Messi that he loved him and would do his best to convince the Argentinian that his future lay with the Catalan giants.

"We will, for example, try to convince Leo to stay at the club," Laporta said during his speech, which was attended by Messi and his team-mates.

"Sorry Leo... I will do my best and he knows it! We're going to try, of course, to convince him to stay here because he's the best player in history.

"Sorry, but I love you and Barcelona also loves you. If this stadium were full, you wouldn't want to go."

Lawyer Laporta, 58, who spent seven years in the role until 2010, said addressing the club's financial situation was also a priority and that he had faith in head coach Ronald Koeman.

"Now we need to do things well. We'll do what we can so you can be proud of Barcelona again," he said. "The economic situation is a priority for us.

"We need to make the club sustainable. We have a plan for this. We will take decisions in Barcelona's best interests.

"Stability is key and we can improve all the sections to make them more competitive. But, we must maintain stability."

During Laporta's first seven-year tenure, Barca won four Spanish LaLiga titles, two UEFA Champions League, one UEFA Super Cup and one FIFA Club World Cup.

On Koeman, he added: "Ronald, you have our confidence.

"We want to get back to making history in the Champions League, but this year we need to go out and try to win the league title and the Copa del Rey."

ID:439613:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4359:

Lionel Messi future - Click here for more stories

Click here for more stories about Lionel Messi

Click here for more stories about Barcelona

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Harry Kane in action for Spurs on March 14, 2021
Read Next:
Ferdinand expects Man City to target Haaland over Kane
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid29226164204472
2Barcelona29197360342664
3GironaGirona29195559342562
4Athletic Bilbao29168550262456
5Atletico MadridAtletico29174854342055
6Real Sociedad291210742311146
7Real BetisBetis29101273433142
8Valencia28117103232040
9Villarreal29108114751-438
10Getafe2991193742-538
11Las PalmasLas Palmas29107122932-337
12Osasuna29106133343-1036
13AlavesAlaves2988132635-932
14Mallorca29612112535-1030
15Rayo Vallecano29611122538-1329
16Sevilla29610133644-828
17Celta Vigo2969143244-1227
18CadizCadiz29313132040-2022
19Granada2828183058-2814
20Almeria29110182857-2913


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!