Laporta: “I trust Messi will wait for a new president to decide his future”

Joan Laporta (Barcelona, ​​1962) has returned with force to the front page of Barcelona today. On Monday he presented his candidacy to regain the presidency he left in 2010 and in Catalunya Ràdio he made it clear that he starts the race assuming that the club's situation is worrying economically.

Has it become more moderate?

I am the same, but when I was president I was 40 and now 58. My team asks me to be natural, but we are in delicate moments and I want people to be aware that we have to be united.

Have you talked to Messi?

I talk to him regularly, we have contact, but I haven't talked to him for a long time. To talk about his renewal I need to have the authority of the presidency to make him a proposal that he can fulfill. He knows that what I promise I keep. Messi makes a difference sportingly and economically, because it generates a lot to have him. Leo wants Barça and would help him. We will make you imaginative proposals. I trust you will wait for a new president to decide your future. The Barça-Leo relationship has to be a beautiful story as it has been so far.

Did you hear Neymar?

Yes and I have things to say, but based on my experience I will not say anything that could destabilize the team. It is normal for me to say it because they are friends.

Would it be good if Messi left in some sense?

Barça would survive, but it is better that they stay, although it will not be easy. It will not be a matter of money, it will be a matter of affection.

Have you probed Neymar to return?

I won't say anything that could destabilize the team.

Could Barça afford a Halaand type signing?

If I am president we will give a message to the world that we are back. We will return the joy and the great players will want to come, but the fundamental thing is to give confidence to those who are already there.

Do you suspect that you will find surprises in the numbers?

No more than usual in these cases, where the numbers are interpretable. The situation is delicate and I believe that less will be entered than what the board says. Instead of 700, we plan to join 661 in a club that has a debt of more than 1 billion. We contemplate the worst scenario.

Will there be a crash plan?

Work, work and work.

Is Gaspart's inheritance worse or Bartomeu's?

The club is in the worst situation in its history. A very delicate moment. Looking back won't help me.

Do we have to stop Espai Barça?

It doesn't have to. The same must be rethought. But until I see the contract with Goldman Sachs I can't speak.

How has Bartomeu done it?

History will tell. Leaves a club almost ruined. Raising this situation is the greatest challenge of my life and I want to do it with humility, generosity and courage.

What would you not do from your previous term?

I don't know, in sports, most of the decisions were correct, in economic matters it went well because a judge said it and socially we put UNICEF on the shirt. I remember the good, I am optimistic.

Who will be your advisor if Cruyff is not here now?

I have a great team and people that I trust.

Do you have an elected technical secretary?

There are several options. We will never shirk responsibility.

Will Koeman continue?

He has a contract and is a Barça myth. It has a margin of confidence.

Are you in a position to endorse 120 million to be president?

We will endorse the members of the candidacy. We will not be endorsed by a third party. It is an amount to be determined. We are talking with banks because it will be more than 120, I estimate 145, which gives about 8 million per board member.

Hasn't anyone told you that it is a risk to show up?

We are not afraid or slow to make decisions. We are psyched to reverse this situation. We did it before.

Do you speak with Sandro Rosell?

Yes, but we don't speak like former presidents. We talk about life and reverse a situation that should not have happened. You have experienced an unfair situation. We talk about everything, we have a good time and we both have quite explosive characters. It is not like before, but it has been normalized.

Who do you see as your greatest rival?

I do not see all those who make the cut as rivals, I see them as adversaries with every right to present themselves.