The head coach of Barcelona, Xavi Hernandez, has stated that the doors are open for Lionel Messi to return to the Catalan Giants this summer.
Messi’s future with Paris Saint Germain appears to be in a shaken state as his contract with the French side comes to an end on the 30th of June, 2023.
Following his fairytale triumph at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, several reports went in circulation that conversations with Paris Saint Germain over a contract extension had been developing nicely.
The Parisiens were sure that they would extend the contract of Lionel Messi for a further year. However, recent speculations have hovered doubt over the Argentina’s contractual renewal status with the French side.
Possible Leagues Lionel Messi could be headed
Lionel Messi has been linked with a possible move to Major League Soccer amidst several Saudi Arabian clubs lurking around in search of his signature.
A return to Barcelona has also been speculated as a possible escape route to the contractual situation at Paris Saint Germain for the Argentine.
Barcelona’s manager was questioned about his former teammate (Messi) ahead of Thursdays Europa League round of 32 encounter with Manchester United.
Xavi Hernandez said: “For Messi, this is his home, he has the doors open. He is a friend and we are in permanent contact. His return depends on him.”
The Barcelona manager was also asked whether there would be a spot open in the team at the Nou Camp for Lionel Messi.
Xavi answered: “Of course, he’s the best player in the world. The best player in history. He would always fit in the team.”
The financial circumstances of Barcelona was the main reason Messi left the Spanish club on a free transfer in 2021.
Lionel Messi signed a two-year deal with Paris Saint Germain in the summer of 2021, and he has donned the colours of the French side on sixty-one (61) occasions.
The Argentine great has scored twenty-seven (27) goals and made twenty-nine (29) assists in all competitions since he made his debut for the side two years ago.
Currently in the 2022/23 footballing season, Lionel Messi has scored sixteen (16) goals and assisted his teammates to a goal on fourteen (14) different times.
Joan Laporta on how hard it would be to sign Lionel Messi
Joan Laporta, during a conversation late in 2022 agreed that it would be “very difficult” for the club to re-sign Lionel Messi.
Laporta speaking with BarcaTV said: “On the subject of Messi, we can’t generate expectations. Messi is a PSG player and has a contract with them. He has won the World Cup and the Cules have been very happy.
“What I don’t want to do is generate expectations that at the moment are very difficult.”
The Argentine forward, Lionel Messi, and the Catalan, Xavi Hernandez, enjoyed Barcelona’s domineering era together and they were teammates from the early 2000s to the mid 2010s before Xavi headed for Qatar in 2015 to end his illustrious footballing career as a player.
It’s left to be seen where the twilight of Messi’s career would be spent either in the MLS, Asia or maybe back in the familiar territory of the La Liga.
