When Lionel Messi left Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain last summer, it came as a huge shock to the entire footballing world. The 35-year-old had spent his entire career with the Catalans but was forced out as the club could not renew his contract due to financial problems.
The move left a bitter feeling among the fans, who were disheartened to see the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner leave Barça. However, president Joan Laporta saw it as an essential measure to help the club emerge out of the economic issues they were dealing with at the time.
Ever since he left, Messi has been linked with a return to Barcelona. And while Laporta has previously said that such a move is not being contemplated, he has seemingly changed his stance on the matter.
On Sunday, the Barça supremo admitted that Messi’s chapter at the club is still not over. Soon after that reports started to emerge claiming that manager Xavi Hernandez wants the Blaugrana to sign Messi back in the summer of 2023.
And now, SPORT claims that Laporta is prepared to do whatever it takes to bring Messi back to Camp Nou on a Bosman deal next year.
The Argentina captain signed a two-year contract with PSG upon his signing last summer, but with an option of an additional twelve months. He will be a free agent in 2023 if that extension option is not triggered and Laporta wants to bring him back to Barcelona.
The relationship between Laporta and Messi has somewhat soured after the handling of his exit last year, especially as the superstar did everything he was asked of him to prolong his stay, only to be let down at the end.
But the club president is now ready to mend fences and do everything necessary to re-sign the 35-year-old and give him a fitting farewell at Camp Nou.
Should he become a free agent next year, Messi will likely have superior financial offers than the one Barcelona might put together. However, the Blaugrana are hoping that he will opt to return to Catalonia and weave his magic at Camp Nou again before ending his career at his beloved club.