The president of Barcelona, Joan Laporta, has vowed to do all in his power to bring Lionel Messi to Camp Nou this summer.
Messi is still pondering on what to do after his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires in the summer.
The two most popular possibilities are a return to Barcelona or a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia.
However, a lot is needed to be done before a transfer can happen given Barcelona’s financial condition.
If the Catalan giants are to make any substantial acquisitions, they will need to reduce their wage budget by an estimated £180 million.
To lure Messi back to Barcelona, the club will do whatever it takes, according to Laporta, who told Jijantes FC that they will “do everything we can to do so.”
Leo Messi’s potential return to FC Barcelona in the summer was discussed by Joan Laporta and Rafa Yuste during the club’s celebration of winning their 27th La Liga championship on Sunday, May 14.
The president said: “We are already putting together the team for next year. We intend to strengthen the team,’ he stated.”
“At the club, we are implementing an austerity strategy to ensure that there is enough fair play to enable us to strengthen the team. To have a more competitive team the following season, we are undertaking our research.”
Barcelona coach, Xavi, who has already won the La Liga in Spain as both a player and a manager, was also honored by Laporta.
Laporta said concerning Xavi that: “He has shown resolve. Along with knowing football, he also understood the institution and the fashion.”
“He has put forth a lot of effort so that we can provide fantastic football. He made decisions quickly. He is deserving of praise. Our coach is excellent. We are overjoyed.”
Although several players are still being linked to Barcelona, reports claim that Xavi’s top two targets this summer are Lionel Messi and Martin Zubimendi.
Lionel Messi’s potential move to Barca Amid Saudi Arabia Link
According to reports, Lionel Messi, a renowned forward for Paris Saint-Germain, has agreed to play in Saudi Arabia next season.
Messi recently posted an apology video to PSG and his fans on social media after the club suspended him for unapproved travel to Saudi Arabia.
Messi said that he is waiting to see what the French Capital wants to do with him.
Meanwhile, Messi, who won the 2022 World Cup, has reportedly received a formal offer to play for Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal next season.
According to reports, Lionel Messi is being courted by Saudi Arabia for a record-breaking £320 million contract if he leaves Paris Saint-Germain.
However, Messi’s father discredited the report and claimed that no decision has been made yet about his son’s next move, which suggests that a reunion with the Catalans may still take place.
Lionel Messi Club Career
Messi moved to Spain from Argentina when he was 13 years old to join Barcelona, where he made his professional debut in October 2004 at the age of 17.
Within the following three years, he established himself as a key member of the team, and in his first continuous season in 2008–09, Messi won his first Ballon d’Or at the age of 22 while helping Barcelona win the first treble in Spanish football.
Messi became the first player to win the Ballon d’Or four times after three brilliant seasons in which he won the prize four times in a row.
He established himself as Barcelona’s all-time leading scorer during the 2011–12 season, breaking both La Liga and European records for the number of goals scored in a single season.
After trailing Cristiano Ronaldo, his alleged career rival, for the Ballon d’Or the next two seasons, Messi found his best form in the 2014–15 season, setting a record for La Liga goals scored, leading Barcelona to an unprecedented second treble, and winning a fifth Ballon d’Or in 2015.
Messi became Barcelona’s captain in 2018 and set a record by winning his sixth Ballon d’Or in 2019.
He joined the French team Paris Saint-Germain in August 2021 after terminating his contract.
Messi left Barcelona in the summer of 2021 because of their financial difficulties, and he signed a two-year contract with PSG.
The 35-year-old has made 71 appearances for the French team, contributing to 31 goals and 34 assists while also winning the championship in 2022.
In his current club career, Lionel Messi has participated in 872 games while contributing to 338 goals and 709 goals overall.
His International Career
Messi, an Argentine international, has scored the most goals and made the most appearances in the history of the nation.
He won the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship for youth players, taking home the Golden Ball and Golden Shoe awards as well as an Olympic gold medal at the 2008 Summer Games.
His small, left-footed dribbling style of play has made pundits compare him to his countryman Diego Maradona, who referred to Messi as his heir.
After making his senior debut in August 2005, Messi went on to win the 2007 Copa América and make history by being the youngest Argentine to play and score in a FIFA World Cup.
Since August 2011, when he took over as captain of the team, he has guided Argentina to three finals in a row: the 2014 FIFA World Cup, for which he earned the Golden Ball, the 2015 Copa América, and the 2016 Copa América.
After declaring his retirement from international competition in 2016, he changed his mind and guided his nation to qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, third place at the 2019 Copa América, and triumph at the 2021 Copa América, taking home the Golden Ball and Golden Boot for the latter event.
Messi was awarded a record-breaking seventh Ballon d’Or in 2021 for his accomplishment. He helped Argentina win the 2022 FIFA World Cup, setting a record with his second Golden Ball award.
He also broke the record for most World Cup appearances with 26 games played and became the first player to score in every World Cup stage, including two in the final.
Lionel Messi’s contract with PSG.
Messi moved from Barcelona to PSG in the summer of 2021 and signed a two-year deal for €30 million annually. There was an option for a third year at the same rate in the agreement, which was suppose to be effected this summer.
Messi’s earnings and net worth
Lionel Messi is one of the most-paid athletes in the world. He reportedly earns a $41 million annual net wage, including add-ons. His gross weekly income is over $788,000.
Messi’s estimated net worth is $309 million (or $400 million).
