Barcelona fans make special Lionel Messi and Nico Williams request to president Joan Laporta during event: Reports

Barcelona fans have taken the opportunity of a club event to make requests regarding Lionel Messi and Nico Williams to president Joan Laporta. The Blaugrana, like the rest of the clubs in Europe, are in their off-season break but held an unofficial event off the pitch.

Laporta was at Castelldefels, a coastal town close to Barcelona, where an event was held to honour club legend Ronaldinho for his contribution to the game. There, the Brazilian legend was given his own star on a Walk of Fame, in a scene straight out of a Hollywood playbook.

Laporta was among the guests at the event. While hundreds of club fans came to see Ronaldinho at the event, they took the opportunity to interact with the club president. He was also there to unveil a star dedicated to the Blaugrana on the same walk as the club was recognised.

Mundo Deportivo reports that many fans took the opportunity to ask Laporta to reconcile with club legend Lionel Messi, who fell out with the president. They also requested the club to sign Spain international winger Nico Williams, who is having a brilliant campaign at Euro 2024.

Barcelona have been linked with Williams for a while, and his displays for Athletic Club and Spain have only strengthened those links. The young forward has a reported release clause of around €58 million and is being closely monitored for a transfer.

Meanwhile, Lionel Messi was left disappointed and decided to move to Inter Miami after Barcelona appeared to try and sign him despite being unable to afford him last summer. The club had previously put him through a similar ordeal in 2021 when he was forced to leave, as his contract was not extended.

Messi has spoken glowingly about Barcelona in multiple interviews, indicating that he has nothing against the club. The Argentine great, though, is said to not be on the best terms with Laporta.

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Lionel Messi rules out Barcelona return

Barcelona legend Lionel Messi has revealed that he will not return to the club at the end of his stint at Inter Miami. The 36-year-old has long been linked with a fairytale return to his boyhood club, who he left under disappointing circumstances in 2021.

During an interview with ESPN before the ongoing Copa America 2024, the Inter Miami ace revealed that the MLS club will be the last of his professional career. He also said that he savours every moment on the pitch now because he knows that there's a lot less time for him now.

"Inter Miami will be my last club. I love playing football. I enjoy everything much more because I am aware that there is less (left to play)."

Messi had been rumoured to be interested in a return to the Blaugrana or Newell's Old Boys in the final days of his career, but that will likely not be the case anymore. He will retire as an Inter Miami player until the end of his career, after which he may decide to return to Catalunya to live.