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Sport Football European Lionel Messi must become ‘Barcelona’s Michael Jordan’, says presidential candidate Jordi Farre Barcelona must ensure Messi is ‘in the institutional life of the club’
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Your support makes all the difference. Close Read more Barcelona presidential candidate Jordi Farre believes that Lionel Messi must be offered a "life project" equivalent to Michael Jordan 's contract with Nike to ensure he is "in the institutional life of the club".
The summer transfer window was overshadowed by the dramatic fallout between Messi and Barcelona's hierarchy following their catastrophic 8-2 defeat by Bayern Munich in the Champions League .
Messi was infuriated by the club's determination to oust teammate and close friend Luis Suarez and subsequently attempted to terminate his contract at Barcelona .
READ MORE: Should Lionel Messi actually leave Barcelona?
Eventually, Messi accepted that he would see out the final year of his deal, but criticised then-president Josep Maria Bartomeu in a scathing interview , who finally handed in his resignation at the end of October ahead of a vote of no confidence.
Farre is among the candidates hoping to succeed Bartomeu, although Victor Font is considered a clear favourite.
“Doubting what Messi has given us is in bad taste,” Farre told Esport3. “Messi has to be offered a life project. We have to turn Messi into Barca’s Jordan. We’re working to offer Messi a project in the institutional life of the club.
“We’ve already spoken with Messi’s entourage and we have a proposal. The issue is not economic – Leo’s already made a lot of money. It’s a love story. I’m sure I have a project that will convince Messi.”
Regardless of the election's outcome, Messi continues to be linked with a summer move to Manchester City when his contract expires. The 33-year-old has scored three goals in seven league games this season as he adjusts to working under Barcelona's new coach Ronald Koeman.
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