GERARD PIQUE wants to see Barcelona name the Camp Nou after Lionel Messi despite the star's falling out with the club.

The LaLiga giants almost lost the Argentine forward in the summer when he attempted to enact a release clause in his contract.

But Messi backed down ahead of an ensuing legal battle, and Pique wants to see the talisman honoured by his club.

The defender told La Vanguardia: "As president, I would have acted differently.

"I asked Leo to stay. I didn't have many dealings with him at that time because I thought it was a very personal decision.

"I remember I said, 'Leo, it's one year, and then new people [to run the club] will come'.

"I ask myself, 'How can it be that the best player in history, who we have had the holy luck to enjoy, gets up one day and sends a burofax because he feels that they are not listening to him?'

"Everything is too shocking. What's going on? Leo deserves everything.

We must preserve our legends, not discredit them. It makes me nervous.

"The new stadium should be named after him, and then that of the sponsor. We must preserve our legends, not discredit them. It makes me nervous."

Pique has not hidden his ambitions to one day run for Barcelona's club presidency.

Next year's elections will come too soon for the 33-year-old but he made clear what he would do when the Camp Nou undergoes a long-awaited renovation.

Josep Maria Bartomeu cannot stand for the role again and Pique admitted his dismay at Barcelona's social media scandal.

Accounts linked to the club were allegedly hired to spread dissent against players, a situation that left the Spaniard "hurt".

Pique also wants to see Pep Guardiola, Xavi, Carles Puyol and other Blaugrana legends offered a role at the club.

But, with El Clasico on the horizon this weekend, Barcelona's latest row was also on his mind.

A second wage cut is reportedly being asked of players after they accepted a reduction amid the onset of the coronavirus crisis – and Pique wants the matter to be solved calmly.

The former Man Utd defender, who has signed his own new deal involving a temporary pay-cut, continued: "As a captain, I defend the interests of the team. And here we have a united dressing room.

"Then they say that the dressing room is split and I don't know what else. They did it when many players were with their national teams.

"In a personal capacity, every player is free to accept the club's proposal voluntarily.

"Another thing is when they force you unilaterally and that the way they have done it. There, I totally disagree."

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