Will Laporta be able to hold back Messi?

What was the first thing Laporta did after he was sworn in as the Barcelona president?

 Joan Laporta made a public plea to Messi in his opening speech, urging the football master to stay. “You know the affection I hold for you and we will do whatever it takes to keep you here. You know you cannot leave, Leo”, he said.

Laporta, who presided over one of Barca’s most memorable periods between 2003 and 2010, turned his attention to convincing his star player to reconsider transfer, rapidly after winning the club’s presidential election. With Messi’s contract expiring in summer, Laporta has not much time to persuade the Argentinian winger to recommit to Barca.

Joan Laporta and Messi are known to share a great relationship; the former’s return to the club could influence the attacker’s decision to leave the club. As Messi has been celebrating the new captain’s successful campaign, football fans are contemplating that he may stay back.

The 58-year-old lawyer also has other challenges to address. Barcelona’s debt, rebuilding the team, renovating the Camp Nou are just few of them. People are looking at him to bring the team out from an era of mismanagement and chaos, knowing that he has a history of resurrecting the team, just as he did in 2003. Let’s see if his lucky charm works this time around and helps his to salvage the club and retain the golden horse. Only time will tell.