Former Barcelona president Joan Laporta revealed the incident with Lionel Messi at the Ballon d'Or ceremony.
Laporta explained that he left the club due to refusing to sign the CVC deal, which he considered harmful to the club. He stated that Barcelona is above players and management and that he could not agree to it. He noted difficult moments for the club, including the departure of key figures, and emphasized that Messi's contract terms were unaffordable, which is why he could not continue.
The former president acknowledged that his relationship with the Argentine player is no longer the same and is practically non-existent. At the Ballon d'Or event, there was an incident where Laporta attempted to greet Messi but Messi felt they did not need to exchange greetings. Nevertheless, Laporta hopes their relationship will improve in the future, considering Messi a Barcelona legend.
He also mentioned that Messi once secretly accessed Camp Nou at night to view renovation work. Laporta stressed that if Messi wants to enter the stadium, he should always be allowed, as it is his home.
Finally, Laporta said Barcelona will continue working to give Messi a tribute worthy of his glorious era at the club. He believes the appropriate time would be after the stadium's renovation is complete, with over 100,000 spectators present.
