🇦🇷 Lionel Messi Reportedly Set to Enter Barcelona’s 2026 Presidential Race
BARCELONA, November 2025 — In a stunning twist that has sent shockwaves through the football world, Lionel Messi has once again found himself at the center of attention — not as a player, but as a potential candidate in FC Barcelona’s 2026 presidential elections.
According to a report from Spanish outlet ABC, the Argentine icon has expressed a serious intention to run in the next club elections, positioning himself as a major contender to shape the future of the Catalan giants.
Disappointment at Barcelona: Messi and the “Economic Betrayal”
Messi’s reported decision marks the end of years of silence following his emotional 2021 departure from the club. The move came after then-president Joan Laporta failed to renew his contract — despite earlier assurances — citing the club’s financial turmoil.
That episode, which forced Messi to leave his boyhood club for Paris Saint-Germain, left deep scars. The Argentine legend is said to have felt betrayed by Laporta’s handling of the situation, believing that financial excuses were used to mask mismanagement and political maneuvering.
For Messi, it was a defining moment that severed trust with Laporta and ultimately shaped his current attitude toward the club’s leadership.
The Opposition Mobilizes Ahead of 2026
With Barcelona still wrestling with economic instability, inconsistent results, and internal division, the club’s opposition factions are already organizing ahead of the 2026 elections.
Several groups within Barça are reportedly attempting to form a united front against Laporta, recognizing that Messi’s influence could be the decisive factor. To many, his involvement — even symbolic — could reshape the entire race.
Messi remains a towering figure in Barcelona’s history, not only for his record-breaking achievements on the pitch but for his enduring symbolic power off it. Should he formally enter or endorse a candidate, it would drastically shift the political landscape inside the Camp Nou.
Messi’s Clear Condition: “Only Support a Candidate Who Can Win”
Reports suggest that Messi’s approach is strategic and cautious. He will not lend his support to any candidate without a realistic chance of defeating Laporta.
“I will only support a candidate if they have a genuine chance of winning,” Messi reportedly told close confidants.
This pragmatic stance highlights Messi’s intent to play a meaningful role, rather than offering mere emotional or nostalgic support. Any candidate seeking his endorsement must be able to present credible solutions to the club’s mounting financial and sporting challenges.
The End of the Laporta Era?
If Messi does decide to run — or even back a rival candidate — it could spell the end of Joan Laporta’s presidency. The relationship between the two has been fractured since 2021, and Messi’s involvement would bring unprecedented attention and voter momentum to the opposition.
Given his legendary status among fans, Messi’s entry into the political arena could ignite a transformative movement within the club, potentially redefining its future direction both on and off the field.
The central question remains:
Will Lionel Messi become the man to lead a revolution inside FC Barcelona, challenging the very leadership that once let him go?
Or will he remain behind the scenes, quietly influencing the power struggle that looms over the club?
A Defining Moment in Barcelona’s Modern History
Whatever happens, the 2026 Barcelona presidential elections promise to be historic. For the first time, the club’s most beloved player could play a direct role in shaping its destiny — not with a ball at his feet, but through the ballot box.
One thing is certain: Lionel Messi’s story with Barcelona is far from over.
