Lionel Messi has been urged to stop delaying his official farewell ceremony at Barcelona following the emotional tribute match Argentina organised for him.
Messi called time on his international career with Argentina following a 3-0 victory against Benin on Tuesday, October 6.
The 39-year-old playmaker is now committed to helping Inter Miami win trophies before his contract runs out in late 2028.
Despite still playing club football, Barcelona are still waiting for a green light from their icon so that the long-delayed send-off can finally proceed.
Former Barcelona president Joan Gaspart has now criticize Messi for not making the match a priority.
The veteran chief point out the crucial role Barcelona played in shaping Messi’s career, demanding that he salutes the fans regardless of who sits in the boardroom.
Lionel Messi speaks after the International Friendly match between Argentina and Benin. (Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images)
Speaking on the podcast ‘Solo para cules‘, Gaspart vented his frustration: “Leo is an undeniable footballer, the best in the world, and a great player. There is only one thing he must not forget: Barcelona is bigger than him, and he should be careful, he should be careful.
”I say this out of the historical love I have for a player I signed when he was 13 and I was Barca president: he should be careful. Barca is bigger than him as an individual.”
Gaspart warned that his patience is wearing thin and pledged to boycott any tribute if Messi insists on waiting for a change in club leadership.
Continuing his remarks on the same podcast, the former president refused to accept political caveats: “He is a great player, the best in the world, partly – I won’t say what percentage – thanks to Barca. Therefore, he cannot forget that. Because of that, I’m still giving him a grace period, but a day will come when it will start to bother me if Mr Messi puts even the slightest obstacle in the way of coming to Barca to say goodbye to the fans.
”Whoever the president may be, whoever the president may be, he must come and say goodbye to Barca. If Leo Messi only comes to say goodbye the day Laporta is no longer here, and refuses to come because Laporta is the president, I wouldn’t give him a tribute. Who does he think he is? To make coming to Barcelona conditional on whether Laporta is there or not. If Laporta wasn’t there [because of that condition], I wouldn’t attend that tribute.”
