Former Barcelona President Slams Messi: "Who Does He Think He Is? The Club Is Bigger Than Him"

Former Barcelona president Joan Gaspart, who famously dubbed himself "the worst president in the club's history," has launched a surprisingly scathing attack on club icon Lionel Messi.

Although Gaspart's tenure once brought the Catalan giants to the brink of financial and sporting ruin, he has now emerged as one of current president Joan Laporta's most vocal defenders. Free from any official boardroom duties, the former executive issued a stern warning to the Argentine superstar during an appearance on the "Solo para culés" podcast.

"As a player, Leo is the best in the world. However, there is one thing that must never be forgotten – Barca is always above him," Gaspart stated. "He should tread very carefully! I say this with immense affection for a legendary player whom I personally signed when he was just 13 years old and I was leading Barca. He became a great footballer largely thanks to this club."

Gaspart's frustration stems from ongoing speculation that a potential farewell match for Messi at Camp Nou has stalled due to his strained relationship with the current board.

"I would give him a bit more time, but a moment will come when it will truly irritate me that Señor Leo Messi isn't making the slightest effort to come and bid farewell to the fans. Regardless of who the president is! Who does he think he is? Setting conditions that he won't return as long as Laporta is in charge? If I were the current president, I wouldn't attend such an event either.

No matter who is in charge, Messi has an obligation to come and say goodbye to Barca. If Leo refuses simply because Laporta is at the helm and prefers to wait until he leaves, I personally will not set foot in that testimonial," he added.

To cap off his rant, Gaspart shared a curious family anecdote in an attempt to argue that the Argentine's era is already fading from the minds of younger generations. He claimed that when he took his four great-grandchildren to buy Barcelona shirts and asked whether they wanted Messi or Lamine Yamal on the back, the children overwhelmingly chose Yamal and even asked who the other player was.

Such a claim seems bizarre to say the least, especially coming after Messi's World Cup triumph, but it clearly underlines Gaspart's aggressive push to defend the club's current hierarchy.