Lionel Messi’s message to Laporta confirmed as new Barcelona president announced

Joan Laporta has opened up on the message he received from Lionel Messi after winning Barcelona's presidential election.

Laporta won a landslide victory in Sunday's vote by Barca's members and returns to Camp Nou for a second stint as president.

The 58-year-old's reign between 2003 and 2010 brought huge success to Catalonia and coincided with Messi's promotion to the first team.

Laporta has a good relationship with the Argentine forward and is desparate for him to sign a new deal ahead of his current contract's expiry this summer.

In the wake of the election, the new president confirmed he had received a message of congratulations from Messi.

"It was very nice to see Messi going to vote," said Laporta on Catalunya Radio on Monday morning. "It is yet more proof that he loves Barca.

"I am convinced that he wants to stay. And, yes, he has already congratulated me for winning the election.

"He also won yesterday. We will soon have a quiet talk and decide his future."

Will Messi stay at Barcelona after Laporta's election as president? Have your say in the comments.

On Sunday evening, Laporta pledged he will open talks with Messi and his agent and father, Jorge, as soon as possible.

"I will be calling Lionel Messi. Will I convince Leo to stay? It will depend on him," he told RAC1 .

"I will do what I can, within the economic possibilities of the club, to make him stay at Barca."

Laporta has previously promised to do "everything possible" to keep Messi at Camp Nou.

He told Sky Sport Italia last month: "Messi should be valued with the affection he deserved and with a suitable financial package, but it's not about money.

"He needs a winning sporting proposal, Leo wants to win again with Barcelona. I know him well, I have a good personal relationship with him.

"He is not someone that is here for the money. He will need a competitive sporting offer because he's a winner."

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