Jordi Farre's plan for Messi: A year at Newell's & the new Jordan

Jordi Farré, one of the candidates to be the next Barcelona president, has referred to his plans for Lionel Messi's future if he wins the upcoming elections.

Speaking to TyC Sports, Farre made it clear that he wants Messi around for the long-term -- even after his retirement from the game as a player. 

"I think we have to have an open contract so that he can decide when he retires at any moment," Farre said. "We'd be delighted if he asks to have a year playing for Newell's and then come back and never leave Barcelona. It's important to be grateful in life."  

Farre continued: "We're not going to wait to win to speak with Leo's dad. We're going to get to work so we can go into the election relaxed about his future.

"We have a lifetime project for him. If we win, which we will, Leo will stay he for as long as he wants."  

Farre also has a commercial project for Messi and is thinking in terms of an agreement in the style of Michael Jordan. 

"He has to be the image of the club, whether that's as an honorary president or ambassador," he added. "We also have to have a financial project to bring together the Barcelona brand and the Messi brand, but I have to explain that to him in person. 

"It's a brutal project. We have to convert Messi into the new Jordan."