One of the candidates for Barcelona's next president, Víctor Font, mentioned Lionel Messi (38, Inter Miami) as he sought votes.
On the 20th (Korean time), according to global outlet beIN Sports, Font said in an interview with Spain's Mundo Deportivo, "We must embrace Messi. We must do everything so that he can have the role he wants at Barça," adding, "One statue alone is far from enough."
Joan Laporta, president of Barcelona, on the 14th said, "Messi is a player who should have a statue at Spotify Camp Nou like Johan Cruyff and László Kubala," and added, "We discussed this at a meeting and work is currently underway," revealing that plans to build a Messi statue are being pursued.
The announcement came right after Messi posted photos on his social media showing his surprise visit on the 10th to Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona's home stadium that is undergoing remodeling.
Along with the photos of his visit to Spotify Camp Nou, Messi expressed his longing, saying, "Last night I returned to the place my soul missed. The place where I was truly happy, the place where you made me feel like the happiest person in the world, I hope I can return there someday."
He added, "Not just to say goodbye as a player but also to exchange greetings I couldn't then..," fueling speculation about a possible return to Barcelona.
The Barcelona club has shown its intention to make Messi a central pillar of the club's rebuilding, not just a legend. That stance is shared not only by President Laporta but also by candidate Font, who is vying to be the next president.
Font faced Laporta in the 2021 election but was defeated. He criticized Laporta at the time for using the Messi issue as an election strategy, saying, "Messi should not be used. Laporta used Messi's image multiple times, and in the wrong way."
Font drew a line on the possibility of Messi's return, saying, "Do you want to see the last dance? Chills. But the decision is up to Messi," yet argued that if he wants to, everything should be prepared for him to play an official match at Spotify Camp Nou.
In particular, he emphasized that, "If I become president, the first thing I'll do is call Messi. That will be my first phone call," saying he would make restoring his relationship with Messi his top priority.
Although Messi, who parted ways with Barcelona in 2021, has said he will not directly intervene in the election, Barça is such a symbolic presence that all agendas — finance, philosophy, and marketing strategy — ultimately lead back to Messi.
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