If Messi were to sign a new contract he’d have to vastly reduce his wage and bonuses.
And honestly I think it’s time Barce start to look at life beyond Messi. Pull off the band aid.
I mean, if some of the reports are true, the club didn't pay wages in January and there was a story recently that said the club was near bankruptcy. I think that is obviously hyperbole, and I don't know how much of this stuff was leaked in lieu of this election, but I assume Messi can get more money somewhere else, ie, City or PSG.
Messi's contract, based on the leaked info, is obviously an incredible financial burden for a club in financial trouble. Losing Messi would be incredibly unpopular, but getting that money off the books might be necessary.
Was Laporta popular though because Messi supported him? There were rumours, maybe simply speculation, that if Laporta was elected, Messi would be more likely to renew is contract, so maybe Laporta is being put in a very comprimised position