Former Barcelona president Joan Gaspart has delivered a sharp warning to Lionel Messi, criticizing the Argentine star over the ongoing delay in organizing an official farewell at Camp Nou and insisting that the Catalan club remains bigger than any individual player.
The remarks, delivered during an appearance on the El Chiringuito and Solo para Colis programs, brought simmering institutional tensions back to the forefront. Gaspart, who famously secured Messi’s first contract with Barcelona when the forward was just 13 years old and served as club president between 2000 and 2003, acknowledged the player’s unmatched standing in the sport while drawing a hard line regarding the club’s institutional authority.
“Leo is without a doubt the best player in the world and a great player, but there is one thing he must never forget: Barcelona is bigger than him. He has to be careful.”
Joan Gaspart, former Barcelona president
He added that the player became great partly thanks to Barcelona, and that fact should never be forgotten.
Friction Over the Delayed Camp Nou Farewell
That departure, which occurred in 2021, left supporters unable to bid farewell to the player inside the stadium. Gaspart expressed sharp frustration at the notion that Messi might condition his return on who holds the club’s presidency.
“Who does he think he is? Does he condition his coming to Barcelona on whether or not Laporta is there? If that is how he behaves, I will not attend his tribute.”
Joan Gaspart, former Barcelona president
Gaspart made clear that personal grievances should not supersede the historical connection between the player and the supporters, stating he would give the player some time but would ultimately be bothered if no effort was made to visit Barcelona to say goodbye to the fans regardless of who holds the office.
Generational Shift Reflected in Family Loyalties
Gaspart shared a story about his four great-grandchildren, explaining that when he asked if they wanted a Barcelona jersey with Messi’s name or Lamine Yamal’s, they immediately chose Lamine.
When the former president reminded them of Messi’s historic status and asked if they knew who he was, the children questioned who the other person was and asked if he was a good player, before insisting they still wanted Lamine’s jersey, highlighting how rapidly football loyalties shift across eras.
