Lionel Messi has reportedly called Barcelona president Joan Laporta to ask him to stop mentioning his name in press conferences.
Laporta has dropped the legendary football's name in conversation several times since he left Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain last summer. It's believed Messi and his family are 'not amused' by the president's references and want him to stop immediately.
In fairness to Laporta, he is often asked by reporters about the possibility of re-signing the Argentine, who established himself at the pinnacle of the sport during a breathtaking spell at Camp Nou. In contrast, Messi has failed to live up to his billing in the French capital, scoring 11 goals in 34 appearances this season. He managed 38 goals during his final term at Barcelona.
As reported by Spanish outlet AS, Messi has 'demanded some calm' from Laporta due to the 'tone of his statements'. The 34-year-old is believed to be annoyed by the president's references to his PSG deal, which is worth a whopping £25million per year.
"What they transmit to us is that Leo and those around him are fed up," Spanish broadcaster Manu Carreno is quoted as saying. "There is no interview in which you don't talk about my son [Messi]. And not to raise him up on altars, saying that he left because of the money PSG gave him."
When recently asked about the possibility of re-signing Messi, Laporta told reporters: "We all would have wanted him to finish his sporting career at Barca, but due to fair play and PSG's proposal it could not be. If one day he wants to come back, it would have to be free and before the technicians gave the go-ahead if it can fit into the new project or not."
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And speaking in March, Laporta said: "Messi’s departure? It was the hardest decision I made. I didn’t want to make the decision. Messi is the best player in history, but that was our situation. I had to make a big decision about Messi, but I do not regret it.
"No one is above the club. With Messi the reality hit us. There’s nothing else to it. But Barcelona’s history continues, and with hard work and correct decisions we can return to the path of success. That’s what we’re doing."
Messi's exit at Barcelona wasn't pleasant. Laporta declared the club icon was going to sign a new contract after being re-elected in March 2021. "Some players have congratulated me - for example Leo Messi, Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba," said Laporta after his win.
"It was very nice to see Messi going to vote. The fact that the best player in the world came to vote, along with his son, is proof that Leo Messi loves Barca... this was a good image for Barca and for him. It shows that we are more than a club, it was one of the best images of the day. I am convinced that he wants to stay."
Yet Laporta failed to keep Messi on the books. "We had hoped that the post-Messi era would start in two years' time, but now we have to bring that forward by two years," said the president when the shock news of his exit broke last August.
Then came Messi's tearful press conference. "It's one of the most difficult moments for me," said the departing hero. "I don't want to leave this club, it's a club I love and this is a moment I didn't expect... I wanted to stay. That's why I'm so sad."
