Lionel Messi, Inter Miami player
Photo by Leonardo Fernandez/Getty Images
If Victor Font wasn’t enough, Barcelona’s Joan Laporta will face increased competition in next year’s Barcelona presidential election as he will also be up against Marc Ciria.
An economist by profession, Ciria has a plan to bring Barcelona back to economic stability, with Lionel Messi being the central focus of his master plan.
Ciria believes Messi’s return is integral for Barcelona if the club are to return to economic normalcy, and in a recent interview on Cadena SER, the candidate explained his plan in detail.
Ciria has named his electoral project ‘Moviment 42’, as he looks to challenge Laporta for the Barcelona presidency.
“Moviment 42 is a movement born in Les Corts, with many members who are from the vicinity of Camp Nou. Since we also really like numbers, we started by providing financial solutions, so why not put a number on a movement?” he said about his election campaign.
He went on to talk about Barcelona’s economic state and misgovernance, saying:
“The growing weaknesses the club is experiencing in its economic and institutional life are due to the failure to implement previously made proposals. We feel we have the strength, the age, the motivation, and the drive to try and implement them ourselves.”
Lionel Messi of Inter Miami
Ciria desperately wants to see Messi back in action for Barcelona. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Finally, Ciria explains why he thinks Lionel Messi’s return is going to be key for Barcelona if they are to generate revenues like before.
“This isn’t a plan for tributes or statues; it’s a strategic plan for a strategic partner. If we leave Barcelona, Leo Messi is still the most highly regarded athlete in the world.
“He wants to return home, so let’s do it and implement a strategic plan that clearly benefits Barça as well,” Ciria said.
The economist estimates that Messi’s return will result in a net revenue for Barcelona of upwards of €200 million in just one season.
“I speak of Messi as indispensable in the sense that he is structural if we want Barça to maintain its membership ownership because the increase in revenue that this agreement would provide is essential. An agreement with Messi is almost vital for Barça,” he said.
Ciria also ruled out any partnership with Joan Laporta and his team, though he did admit he meets Victor Font the most.
“Neither would he propose it, nor would I,” he said when asked about a partnership with Laporta.
“The person I’ve met with most is Victor Font, and we have different perspectives. I believe I have a top-level team with proven professionals,” he concluded.
Joan Laporta, FC Barcelona president
Joan Laporta, FC Barcelona president
Marcus Rashford, Barcelona player
Marcus Rashford, Barcelona player