Barcelona candidate Laporta: Our project will survive if Messi decides to leave | OneFootball

Barcelona presidential candidate Joan Laporta insists there'll be no bitterness should Lionel Messi choose to leave.

Laporta is confident of convincing Messi to stay and sign a new deal should he win the election next month.

The Argentine comes off contract in June and is yet to consider talks over a new deal with the club. However, Laporta has remained confident of convincing the Barca captain to stay given their past history together.

During his previous time in charge, between 2003 and and 2010, the pair won the Champions League together in 2006 and 2010, with Messi thriving under former Barca coach Pep Guardiola. Laporta is hoping to bring the good times back - and wants Messi to remain a part of his project.

But he also told Europa Press via Okdiario: "If Messi says no, we will accept it with sportsmanship.

"It will not be an impediment for us to become a competitive club and start a new stage that will take us to the forefront of world sport."

Laporta admits he has plans to remake the current Barca, convinced the club needs huge changes after the management of former president Josep Maria Bartomeu and his previous board.

Laporta also said: "We have to redo everything. If I am lucky enough to govern again, I will see what can be used and remade at Barça. I am with winning morale, I don't want to put myself in a losing scenario.

"If it happens I will accept it, but I will continue to be from Barça and suffer and enjoy with the team."

- updated December 22