Barcelona president Joan Laporta ‘cancelled plans to fly to Doha for the World Cup final as it wasn’t the time or place to speak to Lionel Messi about his future’ – with Argentina star’s contract at PSG expiring next summer
Barcelona president Joan Laporta had planned to fly out for the World Cup final with intentions of convincing Lionel Messi to re-join the club, according to reports.
Sunday’s final saw Messi finally win the World Cup title after a thrilling encounter saw Argentina emerge victorious against France after a penalty shoot-out.
The 35-year-old forward will now have time to assess the options for his domestic career – with his current PSG deal expiring next summer – and Laporta is aiming to ensure his side are the frontrunners to secure Messi’s signature.
Lionel Messi ended his career-long wait to win the World Cup after victory on Sunday
Barcelona president Joan Laporta planned to fly out to the final with plans to speak to Messi
According to MARCA, Barca president Laporta had planned to travel to Qatar for the final but made a last minute decision to stay at home.
His intentions had been to discuss with Messi a possible return to the Camp Nou but decided that Sunday’s final may not have been the best occasion to do so.
During the election campaign that brought him to the presidency, Laporta insisted that he would try everything to keep Messi at Barcelona – however he was unable to due to their worrying financial troubles.
The forward joined French side Paris Saint-Germain where he has spent a season-and-a-half. His current deal will expire in the summer and he’ll be allowed to leave for free.
The Argentina was in tears during his farewell presentation with Barcelona last summer
At the time, Laporta insisted he would do all he could to get Messi to stay, but it wasn’t enough
The same outlet claim that Messi will receive offers from PSG to remain at the club, an offer from Barcelona and an offer from America.
It’s understood that David Beckham’s MLS side, Inter Miami, will offer the global superstar a mega-deal in an attempt to get him to America.
The outlet claim that they will offer Messi $14 million (£11.5m) a year to persuade him to move continent once his deal at the Parc des…