Joan Laporta, the Messi comeback, and the truth that makes Tebas squirm

What a night, folks! Spanish footy is a powder keg, and the spark, as always, has been lit by the name of Leo Messi. So, Xavi was having one of his chats and casually mentioned that LaLiga had already given the green light for the number 10's return. I was gobsmacked, because that's a huge call. But sure enough, the cat was out of the bag soon enough: Javier Tebas, the big boss of LaLiga, has flat-out denied that any approval exists. And right in the middle of this earthquake, one name stands tall above the rest: Joan Laporta. The president, the leader, the bloke who's always dancing on the edge.

To get your head around this saga, you've got to look at the man, but also the name. Because we're not just talking about Joan Laporta i Echevarría, that fiery lawyer who was around for Messi's first golden era. The whispers in the corridors of the Camp Nou are also pointing to his inner circle. His son, Guillem Laporta i Echevarría, is being spotted more and more around the training ground, and while he doesn't have an official role, everyone knows the father listens to the son. Did Guillem have a say in going all-in for Leo? Who knows, but in this club, family ties have always been a talking point.

And then there's the chapter of old allies. Laporta isn't building this alone. In the shadows, pulling strings, the ghost of those who were with him at the start always reappears. I'm talking about Joan Saura, a former club executive and a trusted confidant in days gone by. Even though their paths have diverged now, Saura knows the ins and outs of the club's members like no one else. And the rumour mill has it, word on the street is, that even he's been surprised by the masterstroke Laporta is cooking up. Because this, ladies and gentlemen, is about winning over the fans while scraping together the millions demanded by financial fair play.

What's crystal clear is that Laporta is staring down a triple backflip:

• Tebas's axe: The LaLiga president plays for keeps. He's made it plain: there's no approval, and if there is, it'll have to come with a massive wage cut or selling off club assets.
• The dressing room and internal 'fair play': It's not just about Messi. It's how his arrival impacts the current captains, the young guns who've broken out this season. Laporta has to manage egos and wages.
• The truth coming to light: In footy circles, the word is out that the buzz is real. That Laporta has been negotiating with Messi's camp for weeks, and Tebas's 'no' is just another hurdle, not the end of the road.

I've been watching this bloke for decades. I've seen him fall and get back up. And believe me, Joan Laporta i Echevarría doesn't back down from a denial. He knows the members just want to dream. And as long as there's a sliver of a chance, he'll slot the ball home. What we don't know is at what cost. Because in modern footy, no joy comes without the fine print. Stay tuned, this is only just getting started.