Messi’s Barcelona contract officially expired on June 30, 2021 as the club announced they could not renew his contract due to financial and La Liga constraints.
The Argentina icon joined Paris Saint-Germain on August 10th, 2021 in what was one of the most controversial transfers in football history.
One of the biggest disappointments of Laporta’s current tenure has been the exit of Messi, which he admits regretting as he prepares for the next presidential elections at the club.
"I am a Barca fan and above all else is the institution.
"We called each other on his birthday when he left. Alejandro (Echevarria) put us in touch. It was an affectionate conversation, although it has had no consequences and the subject has left me sad.
Messi to be immortalised?
Messi recently returned to Barcelona for a secret tour of the newly renovated Camp Nou as he showed his love for the club without the club’s knowledge.
Laporta says he is keen to make up for the fact that Messi departed, and even suggested a statue could be constructed to immortalise his legacy.
"In 125 years of the club’s history, Messi’s moment is one of the most glorious, if not the most glorious, he must have recognition.
"He is someone linked to Barca who has more projection, he has given a lot to Barca and Barca a lot to him. Hopefully we will meet again. It depends on the other party, I am willing to fix anything... with a tribute, a statue."
However, economist Marc Ciria has told Cadena SER there are no such plans in place.
"This isn’t a plan for tributes or statues; it’s a strategic plan for a strategic partner. If we leave Barcelona, Leo Messi is still the most highly regarded athlete in the world. He wants to return home, so let’s do it and implement a strategic plan that clearly benefits Barca as well."