We have moved on — Barcelona president 'fires back' at Messi

Joan Laporta has publicly tried to close the door on a playing return for Lionel Messi, calling the idea unrealistic following the Argentine’s recent comments about moving back after his Inter Miami term is completed. 

The Barcelona president has had to speak about Messi frequently in the past week, following the Argentine's unscheduled visit to the recently reopened Camp Nou.

Since the visit, Messi has made multiple comments about returning to the club, on social media and in interviews. However, while Laporta had initially spoken favourably about the idea, even before Messi expressed the desire, he has now shut it down. 

“Leo Messi’s return as a player is something just not realistic. As of now, he has a contract with Inter Miami,” Laporta said, per Fabrizio Romano. 

“The club is building a project for the present and future. It's complicated, and if you live in the past, you hardly move forward.”

Messi's Camp Nou visit has had Laporta having to defend the decision from 2021, when Messi left because Barcelona could not register a new deal under LaLiga financial rules, saying the club had to put its finances and future ahead of individual sentiment. 

According to reports, Messi is still angry at Laporta for the abruptness of his exit, with the club's former vice-president Jordi Mestre corroborating the claims, saying Messi and his family are still “very, very angry” about how the 2021 exit was handled. 

Several outlets have reported that Messi could play a role in the club’s upcoming presidential election and that he may be sympathetic to or even quietly backing candidates opposed to Laporta. Hence, Laporta's recent comments have been interpreted as both political and sporting.