Key Highlights:
- Former FC Barcelona president Joan Gaspart addressed his recent controversial remarks regarding Lionel Messi during an appearance on the podcast Sólo Para Culés.
- Gaspart previously cautioned the Argentine legend that the club takes precedence over any player, warning Messi not to let his relationship with current president Joan Laporta dictate his farewell.
- While maintaining that he would not ask Messi for forgiveness, Gaspart admitted that he went too far in his delivery, explaining that his blunt comments stemmed from personal affection.
Joan Gaspart Clarifies Harsh Remarks Directed at Lionel Messi
Joan Gaspart, who served as president of FC Barcelona from July 2000 to February 2003, has spoken out to explain his sharp critique of Lionel Messi made on the podcast Sólo Para Culés. The former club chief had previously ignited widespread debate across the football community after publicly admonishing the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner about his relationship with the Catalan institution and the prospect of a proper tribute match at the Camp Nou.
The controversy initially erupted when Gaspart issued a stern caution to the Argentine forward, framing his perspective around the principle of club supremacy. Gaspart recalled his historical ties to Messi’s early career while delivering his blunt warning:
“I’m saying this out of the longstanding affection I have for a player I signed when he was 13 years old and I was the president of Barça.. He should be careful. Barça is above any individual,”
Tension Surrounding Lionel Messi’s Farewell Tribute and Joan Laporta
Gaspart’s primary grievance focused on the unresolved farewell between Messi and Barcelona supporters following the forward’s abrupt departure in 2021. The former president took a hardline stance against the idea that personal friction between Messi and current president Joan Laporta should delay or compromise an official send-off.
Gaspart made it clear that club allegiances should transcend executive politics, arguing that whoever the president is, Messi should come to say goodbye to Barça
. He further hardened his stance by stating that if Leo Messi comes to say goodbye and doesn’t come because Laporta is the president, and comes on the day Laporta is no longer there, I wouldn’t go to that tribute.
Underlining his frustration at any condition being placed on honoring the club, he emphasized: Who does he think he is?
Admission of Overstepping Without an Apology
Days after the initial fallout, Gaspart revisited his statements during a follow-up conversation with host Jota Jordi on ¡Sólo para Culés. When asked whether he intended to retract his comments or seek reconciliation with the player, Gaspart stood his ground on the sentiment while acknowledging his choice of delivery may have crossed the line.
Comparing his relationship with Messi to that of a parent disciplining a child, Gaspart offered his defense:
“Will I ask Messi for forgiveness? I have never asked my children for forgiveness when I have reproached them for something that I thought was best for them. You can love Messi as much as I do, but you cannot love Messi more than I do… I sent a message to Leo, and because I love him so much… I went too far, I went too far. Telling him "we love you very much, but Barça is bigger than you." It could have ended there,”
Why This Matters
The relationship between Lionel Messi and FC Barcelona remains one of the most emotionally charged topics in European football. Since Messi’s tearful exit due to financial constraints and subsequent moves to Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami, supporters and club figures have debated how and when a proper tribute should take place. Joan Gaspart’s outspoken comments highlight the persistent friction between the player’s circle and current club leadership under Joan Laporta. By stressing that Barcelona’s prestige supersedes individual grievances, Gaspart’s intervention underscores the complex dynamics surrounding the planning of an official tribute match before the Camp Nou faithful.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Joan Gaspart originally say about Lionel Messi?
Joan Gaspart warned Messi that Barça is above any individual
and insisted that the player must return to say goodbye to the supporters regardless of who holds the club presidency. He also stated he would boycott any future tribute if Messi refused to attend simply because Joan Laporta is in office.
Did Joan Gaspart apologize to Lionel Messi for his rant?
No. While Gaspart admitted that he went too far
in how he expressed himself, he explicitly refused to ask for forgiveness, comparing his reproaches to those a father gives to his children for their own good.
What is Joan Gaspart’s history with Lionel Messi?
Joan Gaspart was the presiding president of FC Barcelona from July 2000 to February 2003, the era during which the club originally signed a 13-year-old Lionel Messi from Newell’s Old Boys.
