Laporta says that Messi is comfortable at Barca and loves the city, and believes he’ll be able to convince Leo to stay.
The presidential candidate claims that the Argentine isn’t guided by money, he needs a good sporting project.
Laporta also reveals that he and Messi share a good relationship.
“You have to keep in mind that Leo Messi loves Barca, and he has shown it repeatedly. He is a club man and is comfortable at Barca, he likes the city. Therefore, this is another factor that leads us to think that it is best to work for the Messi-Barca relationship to continue,” presidential candidate Joan Laporta has told Diario Sport.
“I assure you that Leo isn’t guided by money, we must make a proposal that can convince Leo that Barca is going to have a competitive team capable of winning the Champions League again. This is essential, this will be the most valuable to Leo when he’ll be deciding his future at the end of the season.

“Leo and I have a relationship of mutual affection. He knows that whenever I have made him a promise, it has been fulfilled. Leo knows it, he has told me personally and he values it very much. I think Messi should finish his career at Barca.

“The truth is that I don’t even want to think about seeing Messi out of the club. What I do need is to have the authority as Barca’s president to know first-hand the situation of the club and see what proposal I can make. From there, I will do my best to convince Leo.”

Messi’s contract with Barcelona expires already next summer, meaning that he will be free to start negotiations with other clubs already in January. So far, he has been linked with Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.