Font: Xavi could play a decisive role in convincing Messi to stay

Font says that Xavi and Messi are friends and that's going to be key in convincing Leo to stay.

The Argentine's contract with Barca expires already next summer.

"Leo Messi needs to be convinced we have a competitive and winning project and Xavi can play a decisive role in us doing that," presidential candidate Victor Font has told Reuters.

"Xavi’s credibility and know-how about football is the right one to convince someone like Messi. They are friends, they know each other, they trust each other and that’s going to be key."

As a reminder, Messi's deal with Barcelona expires in June and he's yet to agree to a contract extension. It's been reported earlier that Leo's future will heavily depend on who wins the presidential election at the club.

As for Xavi, he's currently coaching Al-Sadd in Qatar. However, Font is determined to bring him to Camp Nou either as a coach or a sporting director.