With Lionel Messi’s current contract at Paris Saint-Germain expiring at the end of the season, the possibility of his return to Barcelona remains pretty much alive.
The Barcelona board is already working behind the scenes to light the sparks and begin the process of bringing the Argentine superstar back to Camp Nou
They have achieved varied success when it comes to trimming their squad and getting rid of fringe players. The recent retirement of Gerard Pique, coupled with Sergio Busquets’ likely exit at the end of the season should go a long way in freeing up a chunk of the wage budget.
This should ultimately allow Barcelona to make a move for Messi in the summer of 2023, with star player Robert Lewandowski already excited by the prospect of playing alongside the Argentine ace.
Now it appears even Barcelona president Joan Laporta has opened the door on Messi’s return, stating (h/t Fabrizio Romano), “Messi’s return to Barça in 2023? Leo knows that Barcelona is always his home”.
Messi’s potential return to Camp Nou could be a landmark moment for Barcelona, who have done well to settle their economic hardships. Although the club are still in desperate need of revenue, particularly through player sales, there is a good chance they might be able to cut down on costs before the start of the 2023/24 campaign.
However, in order to achieve that, Barcelona must be swift in the market. They are reportedly keen on offloading Memphis Depay in the upcoming January transfer window, while other players such as Frenkie de Jong and perhaps even Jordi Alba must leave the club at the end of the season.
Messi, for his part, is unlikely to extend his contract at PSG even though the French giants are trying their best to prolong his stay at the club.