Lionel Messi personally congratulated newFC Barcelona president, Joan Laporta, on his election win.- On Sunday, the Argentine voted for the first time in a club presidential election.
- "It is more proof that he loves Barca," Laporta said. "I am convinced that he wants to stay."
Lionel Messi personally congratulated FC Barcelona's new president, Joan Laporta, on his election win to give the biggest sign yet he could stay at the Camp Nou.
Laporta beat off competition from Victor Font and Toni Freixa in Sunday's election to be named as Barcelona's president for the second time, having already held the post between 2003 and 2010.
More than 55,000 Barcelona members participated in the vote, 30,184 of whom - around 54% - voted for Laporta. Font came in second with just shy of 30% of the vote, while Freixa secured under 9% of votes to finish last.
Messi, who attempted to leave the club last summer and whose future dominated the election campaign, voted in a club election for the first time on Sunday.
Three previous elections have been held during Messi's time at the club, in 2003, 2010, and 2014, although in 2003, he was still an academy player aged just 15.
Though it's not clear who the Argentine star voted for, Laporta said soon after his victory that Messi's participation in the election is a sign he could be ready to commit his future to Barca.
"It was really nice seeing Messi go and vote," Laporta told reporters on Monday, according to ESPN. "It is more proof that he loves Barca. I am convinced that he wants to stay. And yes, he has already congratulated me for winning."
He added: "We will soon have a quiet talk and decide his future."
—FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 7, 2021
Just prior to elections, Laporta had warned that his reelection was the only possible way to convince Messi to stay at the Camp Nou.
"I have a great relationship with Leo and he will consider whatever proposal I make," Laporta said during a debate in early March. "If I don't win, I am sure that Leo will not stay at Barcelona. Messi will weigh up the offer we make him.
"I'm convinced that if the other candidates win, Messi will not remain at Barcelona. He wasn't happy during Freixa's time on the board.
"He's not guided just by money. He wants a competitive team to win. I'm sure he'll listen to my offer, just as I am [sure] that if someone else wins he will leave."
Barcelona plays its first game of Laporta's second presidency on Wednesday when it faces Paris Saint Germain in the last-16 of the Champions League.
Ronald Koeman's side trail the Ligue 1 champion 4-1 from the first leg, however Laporta hopes to turn things around.
In the middle of his celebrations on Sunday, Laporta screamed "Anem a París a veure si remuntem!" - which translates as "To Paris to see if we can produce another comeback."
In the same competition in 2017, Barcelona was beaten 4-0 in the first leg of the last-16 by PSG, however won the second 6-1 to secure its place in the quarterfinals in what is widely considered one of the greatest comebacks in Champions League history.