Former FC Barcelona president Joan Gaspart has launched a scathing critique of club icon Lionel Messi, expressing profound frustration over the Argentine star's continued postponement of an official farewell tribute at Camp Nou.
Speaking on the Solo Para Cales podcast, Gaspart—who originally brought a 13-year-old Messi into the Barcelona youth setup during his presidential tenure—insisted that the legendary forward must remember that the institution of FC Barcelona is far greater than any individual. Five years after Messi's tearful departure as a free agent to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021, and shortly after receiving a grand farewell tribute in front of home supporters in Argentina, the 39-year-old Inter Miami forward has yet to bid a formal goodbye to the Catalan faithful.
Analysts attribute the prolonged delay to strained relations between Messi and current club president Joan Laporta. Gaspart made it clear that conditioning a return to Camp Nou on Laporta's absence is unacceptable, stating that if Messi boycotts his own tribute because Laporta is present, he would lose respect for the player. While acknowledging Messi as the greatest player in history, Gaspart warned that he must respect the fans and the club that built his career, regardless of board-level politics.
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