Following Lionel Messi’s FIFA World Cup triumph with Argentina, his future is now set to dominate the headlines until a definitive update on the situation arrives from the player or his camp.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner will be out of contract with Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season. And a possible move back to Barcelona has been talked about in the media, with key club officials like Joan Laporta and Xavi Hernandez keen on making the switch happen.
Earlier today, it was reported that Laporta will personally make a call to Messi to talk about a potential return to the club in the summer of 2023.
And now, a fresh report from Mundo Deportivo is insisting that the Barcelona president is willing to activate another lever to make Messi’s return to the club possible next year.
Barcelona believe that given everything he has done for them, Messi deserves to end his career at the club.
Furthermore, the Blaugrana also believes that having the 35-year-old back at the club at a time when they will be moving to Montjuic during the Camp Nou renovation project would serve to excite the fans.
Barcelona understand that pulling off the move will be extremely difficult as they cannot compete financially with whatever PSG will be offering the Argentina captain.
However, they are also aware that the decision on his future solely depends on Messi and plan to have conversations with him in order to assess whether he would consider moving back to the club.
There has been little to no communication between the Catalans and Messi following his departure last year, with the forward said to be upset by how his exit was handled.
So, the Blaugrana see it as important to reopen a channel of communication with him, not only because they wish to re-sign him, but also to hold a future tribute in honour of the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner.
Xavi’s presence at the club could help smooth things over, but at this time, a move for Messi would mean Barcelona having to part ways with some of their current players to make room on the wage bill.
But, Laporta is willing to leave no stone unturned in his bid to bring back the club icon to Spotify Camp Nou.