Joan Gaspart, former vice president and president of FCBarcelona, has once again generated controversy after comments that are perceived as a threat towards LionelMessi. In a recent interview, the former manager stated that the club “is above” the player, a statement that has been interpreted by some as a direct criticism of the Argentine idol.
The context of the controversy goes back to the historical relationship between Gaspart and Messi. During his mandate, the president was responsible for signing Messi's youth, who arrived at the club at the age of 13. Despite Messi's achievements at Barça, Gaspart has pointed out that the player felt “cheated” on several occasions, both when leaving the club and upon returning in 2021. These accusations have been seen by some as a way of justifying the club's stance towards the figure of Messi.
In the interview, Gaspart expressed: "Who does he think he is? Let him be careful, because Barça is above him." This phrase has been criticized for its tone and lack of context, as it does not refer to a specific incident but to a general perception about the relationship between the club and the player. The statement has also been linked to the defense of Joan Laporta, president of Barça, although Gaspart did not explicitly clarify his intention.
FCBarcelona, under the direction of Laporta, has maintained a stance of respect towards Messi, recognizing his legacy and contribution to the club. Despite Gaspart's comments, the club has taken no official action in response. It is expected that the situation will be resolved in the area of public statements and that the relationship between the club and the former player will continue to be the subject of analysis by the sports media.