Barcelona Hopeful Victor Font Pitches Three-Part Plan to Lure Messi Back Home

A Barcelona presidential hopeful has unveiled an ambitious blueprint to bring Lionel Messi back to the Catalan club, framing the Argentine's departure as a stain on the institution's reputation.

Victor Font, standing in March's presidential election, has made reconciliation with Messi a cornerstone of his campaign platform. The candidate has characterised the club's handling of their relationship since his 2021 exit as nothing short of shameful.

"The fact that he has to sneak into the Camp Nou, that we broke off relations with Leo and not with Real Madrid, is unforgivable," Font told Cadena SER. "Reconciliation with Messi should be a priority since he left."

Font's three-pronged approach will tackle the matter from institutional, commercial, and sporting angles—a comprehensive strategy he promises will captivate the Blaugrana faithful. Should he secure victory on March 15, the candidate intends to present this plan directly to Messi.

The challenger faces off against Joan Laporta, the incumbent who was forced to step down this week following procedural complications. Font enjoys the backing of Xavi, one of Barcelona's most revered figures, who the candidate claims feels let down by the current board's stewardship.

"He's very disappointed with the current board," Font explained. "Xavi feels very betrayed and what he wants is a change of model, a modernisation of the club, and for the presidency to stop being so personalistic."

Messi's surprise unannounced visit to Camp Nou last November—reportedly without Laporta's knowledge—provided a glimmer of hope for those dreaming of his return. During that emotional trip, the 37-year-old signalled his yearning to come home, but with conditions attached.

"Last night, I returned to a place that I miss with all my heart," he posted on Instagram. "It's a place where I was immensely happy, where you made me feel like the happiest person in the world a thousand times over. I hope that one day I can return, and not just to say goodbye as a player, as I never got to do…"

The cryptic message suggested Messi craves more than a ceremonial farewell—a proper homecoming, perhaps, rather than merely waving goodbye to the fans who adored him. His departure five years ago came about through financial necessity rather than choice, a wound that has festered ever since.

For now, Messi remains tied to Inter Miami, having penned a contract extension last October that keeps him stateside through 2028. Yet his words from that November visit continue to reverberate around Barcelona, offering a tantalising prospect for supporters desperate to see their greatest ever player in the blaugrana once more.