With Barça’s presidential race heating up, it did not take long for Lionel Messi’s name to surface again. After Marc Ciria grabbed attention earlier this week with a banner tribute on Avinguda Diagonal, Víctor Font stepped forward on Saturday with his own proposal.
Font, leader of the Nosaltres platform, wants Messi to end his playing career in a Barça shirt.
“Messi has to retire and has to say goodbye to all culés on the pitch. The ‘how’ depends exclusively, first, on his will and his situation at the end of
this year, once the World Cup has passed and his season in MLS has finished, at the end of 2026. When we talk about the sporting side, it also depends on the situation at FC Barcelona. What is evident is that the only way Messi can say goodbye, as Barça deserves and Leo Messi deserves, which is in kit and on the pitch, is if Joan Laporta is not in charge after March 16,” he said.
He places the roots of the idea in 2022, when Messi was still in Paris. “What we are telling you today started in 2022. That’s when we began working on this project with three pillars. In mid-2023, we presented our idea and proposals to the Messi family.” Font insists the reaction from Messi’s camp was positive. That said, sources close to the player have told AS that he has no intention of getting involved in the campaign.
The proposal goes beyond a potential farewell on the pitch. Font also wants Messi to become President of Honor, a lifetime position that would require approval from the Assembly after a reform of the club’s statutes. Only Johan Cruyff has previously held that title.
“Messi is a reference not only as a footballer but as a person. Messi reflects who we culés are. A hardworking, committed, leader, an honest person who loves Barça,” Font said. “Having this bond with Messi is fundamental to strengthening the institution… We want tears to fall with Messi’s last goal at Spotify Camp Nou.”
There is also a business case behind it. Font’s team argues that linking the Messi and Barça brands for life could generate fresh revenue, pointing to models such as Michael Jordan with Nike or Roger Federer with ON. According to figures cited by his campaign, Messi accounted for around 20 percent of the club’s income during his years at Camp Nou. Font maintains that, even with Barça tied to Nike and Messi personally aligned with Adidas, a joint commercial strategy can be built.
He also said a partnership with his current club is possible. “We are studying a strategic agreement with Inter Miami, because we are complementary clubs and there are possible synergies,” Font explained.
The current board did not escape criticism. “Leo’s departure is one of the worst things of this administration,” Font said. “As everyone knows, the only obstacle to Messi’s return is called Joan Laporta.”
