Barcelona president expected to meet Lionel Messi at FIFA Best Awards on Monday

Barcelona president Joan Laporta, along with his lengthy contingent, is set to travel to the French capital city of Paris on Monday, February 27 to attend the FIFA The Best Awards.

And if a report from Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo is to be believed, the club chief will meet former attacker Lionel Messi, who is considered to be the favourite to win the honour, at the event.  

If the aforementioned does happen, it is going to be the first meeting between Messi and Laporta since the former left Barcelona years ago. Once that is done, the president will indeed have a chat regarding the Argentine’s potential return to Barcelona.

It must be remembered that the two were rumoured to meet during the previous Ballon d’Or ceremony, but the Argentine decided not to attend the event as he was not shortlisted for the award. This time around, however, the chances are pretty much certain since Messi is rightly tipped to be given the honour. 

As for Laporta, MD says the president is set to be accompanied by the club’s vice president Rafa Yuste, institutional vice president, Elena Fort and the director of women’s football, Xavi Puig.

The reason to travel with this hefty contingent is the fact that Alexia Putellas is tipped to win the honour. The winner of the Ballon d’Or Feminin in 2021 and 2022 is set to compete with England’s Beth Mead and America’s Alex Morgan.

As for the men’s category, Barcelona’s only representation comes in the form of Robert Lewandowski. In fact, he is the only player from the team who has managed to get within the top 14 finalists. Interestingly enough, Lewandowski has won The Best FIFA Men’s Player twice (2020, 2021) in his career.

Furthermore, the Pole is one of the three Barcelona players who has been nominated for the FIFA FIFPro World11 along with Pedri and Gavi as well.