Barcelona President Joan Laporta has pledged to pay some sort of tribute to Lionel Messi at the club, saying he deserves ‘eternal recognition’ for his illustrious career.
The club’s record goalscorer joined Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer last year after his contract expired, although Barcelona were unable to secure an extension due to the club’s financial problems.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Messi was unable to personally say goodbye to Barcelona fans and admitted in November that he was ‘hurt’ following his exit.
Laporta admitted during Barca’s Extraordinary General Assembly that he was ‘sad’ at the sequence of events but promised to somehow pay tribute to the club legend who won 45 trophies during his time with the Blaugrana.
“I will support, guide and support anyone who finds solutions that lead to a tribute to Messi for everything he gave to Barca,” he said.
“We must give him eternal credit for everything he has done.
“For me Leo will always be at Barca. Circumstances made us do what we did but that can’t spoil the recognition we have to give him and sooner or later, sooner or later I hope can we pay tribute to this player who gave it.” us so many years of glory.
“Without him, the last 20 years of Barca would be incomprehensible.”
Barcelona could opt to honor Messi in 2024, the club’s 125th anniversary, which could also coincide with the player’s departure from PSG as he signed a two-year deal with an option for another year in the French capital .
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