La Liga chief Javier Tebas admits if he was advising Lionel Messi then he would urge the global superstar to remain at Barcelona.
It comes as no surprise that the man in charge of bringing revenue to Spanish football wants the mercurial forward to remain but it is significant he's made his feelings public.
But Tebas' words to the "best player in history" come amid a growing sense that the 33-year-old impending free agent will spurn Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City 's interest.
Joan Laporta's election win is viewed as a major positive and much-maligned manager Ronald Koeman is now getting the best out of his best player.
The financial situation in Catalonia is serious but rising stars such as Ansu Fati, Pedri, Frenkie de Jong and Sergino Dest look set to usher in a bright new era.
And now Tebas has banged the table in his hope to see Barcelona and Messi continue their 20-year alliance beyond the summer.
He said: "I want Messi to stay. He is the best player in history.
"If you are thinking about his last years of football, he should continue to be linked to the Barcelona brand.
"He started at Barcelona and I think he should continue at Barca. If I was his adviser, I would tell him he must do everything possible to stay at Barca."
