Laporta calls for more strength from Barça in Messi defence

Former FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta has expressed his dismay at the orchestrated campaign against Leo Messi, which has already succeeded in forcing the Argentine into the courts.

In various tweets, Laporta puts forward his belief that this has all been part of a strategy to take Messi away from Barça. 

He writes: "(I am) sad and dismayed by the attacks by some against Leo Messi and his family. I am of the opinion that this all seems part of a political, judicial, sporting, and media strategy, with the state counsel as its executive arm, to try to get Messi to leave Barça. I am missing a more decided and strong position by the club in its defence of our player, Leo Messi, the best footballer in the world."