Barcelona presidential candidate Xavier Vilajoana says he won't hold Lionel Messi against his will should he win the election.

Vilajoana is standing for the January 24 election.

He told Radio Marca: "One of the first things I will do if I am president is to talk to Messi.

"You have to ask him if he wants to continue playing for the best club in the world. This is a complex economic and sporting moment and we need someone who knows what it is to wear the Barça shirt."

Vilajoana added: "There are operations, such as the sale of Carles Pérez and Abel Ruiz to buy Braithwaite, they hurt."