Lionel Messi is likely to return to Barcelona following his departure from Paris Saint-Germain as confirmed by his father Jorge.
Jorge Messi said this to journalist after he reportedly had a meeting with Barcelona president Joan Laporta on Monday morning.
The World Cup winner’s father also revealed that he would love to see his son return to the Spanish club while he denied the meeting with Laporta.
Jorge Messi said: “Of course, he [Messi] would love to return to Barcelona. I would like it too. We will see.”
When asked if he had discussed with Laporta the possibility of Barcelona financing his son’s return to the club, he said, “We spoke the other day, but there’s nothing concrete”.
Barcelona on the other hand are waiting for LaLiga’s approval this week regarding their financial plans ahead of the transfer window.
The club is also hoping to finalize that with the authorities so they can go ahead and re-sign Lionel Messi for a second stint.
Barca coach Xavi Hernandez also confirmed that “the doors are open” for his return should he make a decision about his future this week.
Lionel Messi
Lionel Andrés Messi was born on 24th June 1987 and he is an Argentine footballer who last played as a forward for PSG and captains the Argentina national team.
Messi is globally regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. Messi has won a record seven Ballon d’Or awards and a record six European Golden Shoes.
At club level, he has won a record 34 trophies in both Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
With his country, Messi won the 2021 Copa América and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
A prolific goalscorer and creative playmaker, Messi holds the records for most goals in La Liga (474), most hat-tricks in La Liga (36) and the UEFA Champions League (eight), and most assists in La Liga (192) and the Copa América (17).
He also has the most international goals by a South American male (99). Messi has scored over 800 senior career goals for club and country, and has the most goals by a player for a single club (672).
Where Will Messi Move To Next?
There are three possible club Lionel Messi might sign for in the coming weeks but where he will ultimately land is still uncertain.
However, Futballnews has identified three clubs he could be joining in the summer after departing PSG and they are as follows;
Al Hilal
Messi was previously paid a reported £25m to become a tourism ambassador for Saudi Arabia last year and has regularly posted pictures of himself and his family in the country on social media, most recently on 15 May.
Barcelona
Barcelona could be another of Lionel Messi’s destination after leaving PSG and it would be a romantic option, in contrast to the pragmatic choice of Al-Hilal.
Messi left Barcelona in 2021 due to the club’s chronic financial mismanagement under Josep Maria Bartomeu’s presidency and La Liga’s stringent tightening of salary rules, rather than of his own accord and a return would surely be appealing.
Inter Miami
However, any possible link-up between Messi and Phil Neville in the magic city has been dashed after the former Manchester United defender was given the boot by his former teammate and Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham last week.