Total twist at Barça: Leo Messi steps into the spotlight and shakes up the presidential campaign

The presidential elections at FC Barcelona on March 15 have entered a new dimension. When it seemed that the campaign was going to revolve solely around economic projects and sporting results, one name changed everything: Lionel Messi. His figure, even if he is not officially linked to any candidate, has once again become the emotional epicenter of Barcelona fandom.

With Joan Laporta starting as the favorite, his rivals have sought imaginative formulas to capture the attention of members and undecided voters. But nobody expected such a symbolic twist, appealing to the memory of someone who defined an unrepeatable era at the club.

A banner that awakens memories

The surprise came with the initiative of Marc Ciria and his platform "Moviment 42". In Buenos Aires, a giant banner appeared with Messi celebrating at Real Madrid's stadium after the unforgettable 2-3 in 2017. A photograph that remained engraved in the collective memory.

The message that accompanied the image was direct and emotional: "Looking forward to seeing you again", a brief phrase but full of intention. In addition, the banner included a QR code that allowed fans to send messages to the player himself. More than an electoral gesture, it seemed like an open letter from Barcelona fandom to their idol.

Messi as symbol and as strategy

Although Messi has not publicly taken a position in favor of any candidate, his name carries a lot of weight. The fracture in his relationship with Laporta after his departure from the club remains an open wound for part of the fanbase. That unexpected farewell still generates debate, and some candidates see there a political opportunity.

Ciria has argued that the Argentine's figure is not only sentimental but strategic. He defines him as a "generational bridge" and an economic engine capable of boosting revenue in different areas of the club. The idea is not limited to a sporting return, but to integrating him as a strategic partner in a global project.

More than nostalgia, a battle for the future

The debate, however, goes beyond emotion. Is Messi's return really viable, or are we looking at an electoral resource loaded with symbolism? In a Barça that needs financial stability and sporting continuity, his figure arouses as much excitement as doubts about his real fit in the project.

What is clear is that his name is once again shaping Barça's direction. In elections where every gesture counts, Messi has become the unexpected axis of the campaign. Even if he is not on Camp Nou field, he is still capable of revolutionizing the club that shaped his life and that of millions of fans.