Barcelona president Joan Laporta has said that the club can compete with Saudi Arabia’s offer for Lionel Messi despite the fact they might not be able to match it financially. Messi has been linked with Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal but his father and agent Jorge Messi went on to decline the reports of him joining the side.
Furthermore, Major League Soccer side Inter Miami has also shown interest in Messi. The Argentina International is currently plying his trade for Paris Saint-Germain and his contract will end at the completion of the ongoing season and as per the reports Messi wants to leave Parisians.
Messi had joined the Ligue 1 club after his terrific run with Blaugrana. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi was forced to leave Barcelona in August 2021 due to the financial regulation of the LA Liga.
Messi played 778 matches for Barcelona and scored 672 goals and provided 288 assists in his glorious career. Furthermore, the legendary player won 34 trophies with the club.
The talisman spent 17 years at Blaugrana and played an instrumental role in taking the club to new heights as he grew as a player.
“With all due respect to Saudi Arabia — where a lot of good work and investment is taking place around the league there — Barca is Barca,” Laporta told TV3 on Monday after the Catalan club clinched their 27th LaLiga title on Sunday.
“Barca is his home. Barca can compete with anyone. The history this club has and the feeling of our 400 million supporters is so strong.”
Meanwhile, Barcelona can not offer Messi what he might get in the Middle East because of the LA Liga financial fair play regulations. However, Laporta is hopeful that there could be a way out.
“The club is following an austerity plan, but we are working hard to build a competitive team for next season,” Laporta added. “We will see if LaLiga approve our viability plan.”
In fact, Laporta and Messi shared a strong relationship for many years but it broke down when the latter was forced to leave Barcelona. However, the president revealed that they have sorted their differences.
“I have spoken with him recently to rectify the situation after I had to put the club before everything, even him, the best player in the world,” Laporta said.
“It was a pleasant conversation. We have recovered the relationship we have had for many years.”
