The Spanish newspaper "ABC" revealed that Argentine star Lionel Messi has decided to indirectly enter the upcoming Barcelona club elections in 2026, as he has already begun searching for a candidate with real chances to compete against the current president Joan Laporta and oust him from the presidency of the club.

According to the report, Messi will not support any symbolic or weak candidate, but is looking to back a figure capable of actually winning and bringing about real change within the Catalan entity.

Messi believes that Laporta betrayed his trust in the summer of 2021 when he promised to renew his contract but then backed out at the last moment, citing the economic crisis, which forced the club legend to leave for Paris Saint-Germain at that time.

On the other hand, the opposition within Barcelona has begun to mobilize early in preparation for the electoral event, as several groups are working to form a united front to compete against Laporta, and are striving to bring Messi to their side due to the immense sports and popular symbolism he represents within the club.

The source concluded: "Messi's involvement in the elections could completely shift the balance of power within Barcelona and may indeed end Laporta's era."