Barcelona - the new president would keep Mess and stabilize the financial situation

Joan Laporta, who was elected to the post a week and a half ago, spoke in superlatives about the Argentine footballer with a six-time golden ball in his first speech on Wednesday night.

"I'm trying to convince Leo Mess to stay. He's the best player in football history," the president said.

Messi, 33, wanted to leave Barca last year and his contract expires at the end of this season. The press speculates whether he will justify Paris Saint-Germain or Manchester City.

Despite 58-year-old elimination of the Champions League, Laporta also assured head coach Ronald Koeman of his support, saying the team has gotten better under his leadership and is evolving.

"Ronald, we trust you," the club leader said on behalf of the new presidency.

Laporta marked the cup victory and the league title as a new season goal. The team is currently second in La Liga, four points behind front-runner Atlético Madrid, and will meet Athletic Bilbao in the April 17 Cup final.

Laporta promised to get the association out of the € 1.17 billion debt.

"This is a priority," he stressed. He added that they are looking for new sources of revenue and will try to make the right decisions in the future.

(Source: Source: sportrajongo.hu, mti / Photo: pixabay)