A former Barcelona president attacks Messi with one harsh line over his tribute.. and Catalonia reacts

An unexpected attack on Lionel Messi has come from inside Barcelona itself, from a man who has known the Argentine legend since he was a 13-year-old boy.

One harsh sentence sparked a storm in Catalonia and prompted a candidate in the club’s presidential race to hit back immediately in defence of “the best player in football history”.

Former Barcelona president Joan Gaspart went after Messi on the Soloparacules podcast over the still-pending tribute between the player and the club, saying: “Who does he think he is? He should be careful!”

Gaspart added: “Leo, as a footballer, is the best in the world. There is only one thing he must not forget: Barca is above him,” stressing: “I say this out of the love I have for a historic player I signed when he was 13.”

He went on: “He should be careful. Barca is above him as a person,” before adding: “He is a great player partly thanks to Barca, and that cannot be forgotten.”

Gaspart urged the Argentine to put aside his differences with current president Joan Laporta and come back to say goodbye to the fans at the Spotify Camp Nou, arguing that his return should not depend on who is sitting in the president’s chair.

The comments drew an angry response, with prospective presidential candidate Marc Ciria accusing the former president of disrespect in the way he spoke about Messi.

The tribute issue goes back to Messi’s departure in the summer of 2021, when the club could not renew his contract, leaving a strained relationship between the player and Laporta, who has repeatedly promised to organise a tribute worthy of the Argentine.