Laporta is Barcelona president and now his attention turns to Messi.
Joan Laporta is optimistic that Lionel Messi will stay put at Barcelona.
The newly elected president is back in office after 11 years, and he is already focusing on finding a way to keep the Argentine at the club.
“Today marks 20 years since a boy named Leo Messi debuted with Barcelona’s Infantil B [U12-13] team,” Laporta said after his win. “Seeing the best player in the world come to vote with his son is an example of what we’ve said.
“Leo loves Barcelona. That’s the reflection of it. The best player in the world loves Barcelona.
“Hopefully that will help him to stay at Barcelona. That’s what we want.”
The president spoke shortly after his win was announced, and had started by thanking all of the club’s members.
Laporta also thanked his campaign team and volunteers for their part in his success, as well as thanking the media for their coverage of the election.