Lionel Messi proudly lifted his 8th Ballon d’Or in Paris. During the ceremony, the Argentinian obliged for pictures in the media and also with his soccer colleagues. However, it looks like he refused to take a photo with Barcelona president Joan Laporta. From the looks of it, the soccer veteran still remembers the abrupt ending with Laporta in his last days at his beloved club.

These rumors also emerge amid his desire to say a proper goodbye to the Barcelona fans before his retirement. Hence, it does not look good for the Barcelona fans and the board members in terms of a potential reunion in the future.

Lionel Messi is claimed to have snubbed the photo request of Joan Laporta

Lionel Messi has got himself into a controversy after winning the Ballon d’Or in Paris. This is after FC Barcelona fan and YouTuber Gerard Romero said on his channel that Messi refused to take a photo with FC Barcelona chairman Joan Laporta. However, the Inter Miami star immediately termed it as fake news. Soon after, popular journalist Guillem Balague later stated that the rumors did have some reality in them.

According to Guillem Balague, Lionel Messi did snub the FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta’s request for a picture. It happened when he was taking a photo in media along with women’s Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati. Lionel Messi decided to walk away from the FC Barcelona President after taking pictures with everyone except him, despite his request. However, what does that signify?

This clearly indicates that Lionel Messi does remember the rocky ending between him at the Barcelona President during his exit. However, this also raises the question, ‘will this impact Lionel Messi in playing a final tribute game for the Barcelona fans to say goodbye?’

The Argentinian does have a strained relationship with Joan Laporta

After, the appointment of Joan Laporta as Barcelona’s president, many fans of the club thought he would resolve the Messi contract situation. The player himself also thought that all the parties would eventually come to an agreement. However, nothing happened and he had to leave his beloved club after 20 years. The rumors also claimed that Messi felt betrayed after this episode, as Laporta also previously said in the media that the situation would get resolved. However, that did not work out eventually.

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They did make an offer for Lionel Messi to return to the club this summer after he decided to leave PSG on a free transfer. Inter Miami owner David Beckham had mentioned that the Barcelona offer scared him and thought that Messi would reject the Herons. The soccer fans also expected him to go to Barca for a fairytale ending. However, the Argentine decided to join Inter Miami. These incidents do prove that Messi does have a strained relationship with the FC Barcelona stakeholders, especially Joan Laporta.

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Also, Lionel Messi has reportedly refused to go on loan away to Barcelona during the MLS off-season. How do you feel about the current scenario? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.