The 10 it took to block Gerard Romero from sharing his claimed conversation with Joan Laporta surfaced as a dramatic moment in the aftermath of Messi’s victory celebration.
One day after Lionel Messi secured his eighth Ballon dOr, social media lit up with a pointed message directed at Gerard Romero.
Messi defeated Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé to claim the 2023 Ballon dOr, extending his record to eight in a career defined by consistency and impact.
The Rosario native reportedly echoed a post from Jijantes FC, a Kings League club run by the journalist in question, quoting an exchange that allegedly occurred between Laporta and Messi at the Ballon dOr gala. The purported content claimed the Barcelona president thanked Messi for remarks during the speech and suggested they would meet to finalize a tribute date. The screenshot’s caption added a scathing jab, spelling out the accusation with an emoji meant to signify deceit.
In short order, Romero apologized publicly, admitting he had been misled once again and promising lessons would be learned to prevent similar mistakes. He offered a heartfelt apology, accepted the fault, and committed to better vetting moving forward.
WHY WAS THE ACCUSATION OF LYING DIRECTED AT ROMERO?
Rumors about Lionel Messi s future hooded the mid-2023 period as the football icon weighed a post-PSG chapter and the next steps in his club career. Journalists weighed in with varying reports, and Gerard Romero appeared to push hard for a return to Barcelona, a narrative that gained traction in certain circles.
One widely circulated claim suggested that Messi’s son had faced challenges in Paris, with family members reportedly urging a move back to Spain. Such statements intensified the debate around Messi’s next destination and which factors would influence the decision.
When Messi announced his decision to sign with Inter Miami during interviews, he urged the media to consider the reliability of reports. He pointed out that several journalists had presented conflicting stories and that some accounts appeared to misrepresent facts. He stressed that personal concerns, particularly those involving family, were sensitive and should be treated with care.
Shortly after, Romero acknowledged his misstep on a podcast hosted by Jordi Wild, admitting that the discussion about Messi’s potential return had been carried too far. He explained that the intensity surrounding Messi’s possible arrival at Barcelona had influenced his commentary, and he apologized for implicating the family in the discourse. The broader takeaway underlines how the intersection of sports speculation and personal lives can blur boundaries for media figures and fans alike.
Note: this account reflects reporting summarized from Goal.