Argentina skipper Lionel Messi could still make his way back to FC Barcelona if information circulating around Europe is anything to go by.
90Min reports that sources have confirmed that the Paris St. Germain star can make his way back to Spain where he launched his football career with the Catalans.
This comes as his departure stunned the football world, with club officials, supporters, and the player himself believing that he would only ever play for Barcelona in his career.
He arrived in the French capital tasked with delivering a first UEFA Champions League gold medal with the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Neymar, but the Parisiens are no closer to achieving that objective after crashing out of this season’s competition to Bayern Munich at the round of 16 stage.
Messi’s contract is officially up in the summer but the club has a 12-month option to extend that the player must also agree to – and the French Ligue 1 giants have attempted to negotiate fresh terms with the Argentine, his father, and representatives.
They even believed they were closing in on an agreement after his successful return from the FIFA World Cup.
But although discussions over a new contract have been amicable, PSG’s hopes of tying Messi down have quickly disappeared and talks have been held with other interested parties.
Saudi Arabian outfit Al Ittihad have tabled an offer, while David Beckham-owned Inter Miami have also put forward proposals to Messi – both of which have been considered.
Barcelona remains in financial trouble, meaning it will be difficult to conclude any deal despite a sensational return is reportedly on the cards, but Joan Laporta reaffirmed in an interview with American YouTuber Joe Pompliano that the club’s doors remain open for Messi to return though.
“Messi is the best player in history, he is a player who came through our academy, he is the important player in our history – he is also a player of PSG and have to respect that,” he said.
“Messi knows we have him in our heart, part of our club – when I came back the legacy was not good and I had to make decisions but I need to find a way to improve the relationship between Messi and us and we will see.
“I can’t say more but we will see, but he knows the doors of Barcelona are open but we respect he is currently with PSG and he is in a great moment with Argentina.”
Main Image: Lionel Messi/NewYorkTimes
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