Overview
- Font’s proposal has three pillars: naming Lionel Messi president of honor, building a lifelong Barça–Messi commercial alliance, and enabling a possible farewell return on the pitch.
- Font says he floated the idea to Messi’s family in 2023, has maintained contact with the player’s entourage, and would call Messi in Florida the day after a March 15 victory.
- Designating a president of honor would require a change to Barça’s statutes and approval by the members’ assembly, and the commercial tie-up is framed after models like Jordan–Nike.
- On the sporting side, Font cites January 2027 as the first feasible window for a return, noting Messi’s Inter Miami deal runs to 2028 with an exit clause and any comeback would depend on technical staff views and Messi’s wishes.
- Incumbent Joan Laporta acknowledges his relationship with Messi is damaged and says the renewal once required unaffordable terms, while neither Messi nor Inter Miami has endorsed Font’s plan.