Barcelona chaos as election candidate promises Messi return despite contract reality
With the March 15 presidential vote approaching, debate inside Barcelona’s membership base has intensified following comments from candidate Marc Ciria about a potential blockbuster transfer strategy.
According to Cadena SER, Ciria said bringing Lionel Messi back to the club would be central to any attempt to sign Manchester City striker Erling Haaland. The remarks were later amplified by Transfer News Live on social media, pushing the proposal into the wider football debate.
Ciria stated, “We know Messi’s future is linked to Barcelona. To sign Haaland, we must bring Messi back as a strategic partner.”
Election strategy built on nostalgia
Ciria is one of four candidates challenging current president Joan Laporta in the March 15 election. His proposal appears designed to tap into the emotional connection many supporters still feel toward Messi, widely regarded as the most influential player in the club’s history.
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However, the contractual landscape presents immediate obstacles. Haaland signed an extension with Manchester City in January 2025 that runs until 2034. Messi, meanwhile, agreed a deal with Inter Miami that keeps him in Major League Soccer through 2028.
Those agreements significantly reduce Barcelona’s leverage in any negotiations, particularly given that neither club is publicly seeking a sale.
Financial and regulatory hurdles
Beyond contracts, Barcelona continue to operate under strict La Liga financial regulations. The league’s salary control framework limits spending based on revenue and debt ratios, an area where the club has faced well documented challenges in recent seasons.
Football finance analysts note that acquiring even one of the two players would require substantial transfer fees, salary commitments and careful structuring to meet registration requirements. Attempting to secure both would represent a complex and high risk undertaking.
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Critics within the Barcelona political landscape argue that serious governance requires detailed financial planning rather than symbolic gestures. They contend that promising signings involving players tied to long term contracts risks raising expectations that cannot realistically be met.
Members weigh ambition against credibility
The controversy has exposed a deeper divide among Barcelona members, between those inspired by the prospect of restoring past glory and those prioritizing financial stability and institutional credibility.
While bold promises often dominate football elections, voters will ultimately assess whether proposals align with contractual realities, market conditions and the club’s economic framework.
With ballots set to be cast on March 15, Ciria’s proposal has ensured that transfer feasibility, rather than only sporting vision, will sit at the heart of the campaign debate.
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Sources: Cadena SER, Transfer News Live
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