FC Barcelona presidential candidate Joan Laporta believes superstar Lionel Messi can be convinced to sign a new deal with the Blaugrana.
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Messi has six months remaining on his deal with the Catalan giants, and recently revealed he will only decide on his future at the end of the season.
While the Argentine was prepared to leave before the start of the 2020/21 season, club presidential candidate Laporta believes the player can be persuaded to remain at the Camp Nou beyond his current contract.
"Messi can be convinced, I think he wants to stay," he told El Transistor.
"The conversation I must have with him will be the serious one, when we can offer him something firm.
"The delay to the elections does not benefit Barcelona or the renewal of Leo, who needs a president and a board of directors to renew."
Laporta added that there will be role at the club for Messi when he decides to hang up his boots.
"When he stops playing football, Messi will be given the role he feels comfortable in," he continued.
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"But for the time being he wants to continue playing football. And if he wants to have a football experience in America later on, it would be enriching for everyone."
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