Barcelona presidential candidate Joan Laporta, speaking at a campaign event on Thursday, said he will do "everything possible" to persuade Lionel Messi to stay at the club. Earlier this week, Barcelona were thrashed 4-1 by Paris Saint-Germain - who along with Manchester City want to sign Messi in the summer when he will become a free agent - in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie. The Barcelona presidential election will take place on March 7.