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Lionel Messi’s relationship with Barcelona is unaffected by comments made by the legendary forward’s brother, according to club president Joan Laporta.
Matias Messi suggested in a question and answer session on streaming platform Twitch that “no one knew” Barca prior to his younger sibling’s trophy-laden spell at the Camp Nou.
The 40-year-old also said he would make sure to “kick out Laporta” as part of a “good cleaning” in the boardroom if his brother ever returned to the Catalan heavyweights.
He posted an apology on his Instagram account on Wednesday, stating he “was just joking with my son and friends”, but the comments did not go down well at Barca.
However, speaking at a press conference on Thursday to discuss Barca’s latest accounts, Laporta insisted those remarks will not impact Messi’s status at the club.
“I take away the importance of anything said by his brother,” Laporta said. “He has since apologised. I don’t think about it any more.
“It doesn’t affect the relationship [between Messi and Barcelona] at all.
“I don’t want to comment on a player from another team any further out of respect.
“Leo Messi is forever part of Barcelona and we are proud of that. He is the best in the world and the best in history.”
Messi scored a club record 672 goals in 778 appearances for Barcelona across 17 seasons as a first-team player, during which time he won 35 trophies.
The Argentina international departed for Paris Saint-Germain in August 2021 and his famed number 10 shirt has since been inherited by fellow academy player Ansu Fati.
Fati has been linked with a move away from Barca in recent weeks, with Manchester United reportedly interested, but Laporta ruled out an exit in the next transfer window.
“Right now we are not considering it,” he said. “I cannot predict the future, but Ansu Fati is a player with whom we have great hopes.
“It all depends on whether he remains useful for the club and for [head coach] Xavi. He has a lot of expectations on him and we are not willing to sell the player at this time.
“We have no news that the player wants to leave, and we will continue to do what suits the club.”
Laporta also confirmed Ousmane Dembele is not for sale, while captain Sergio Busquets’s future beyond the end of this season when his contract expires is still unknown.
Barcelona, who are eight points clear of Real Madrid at the top of LaLiga, are back in action on Sunday with a trip to Villarreal.
