Lionel Messi, one of the highest paid football players, is reportedly set to make a return to Barcelona next summer, according to Argentine media. The 35-year-old’s contract with Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain will expire by the end of the current season, and his future with the French outfit remains undiscussed, as the Argentine focuses on preparations for the 2022 World Cup.
In a cryptic tweet, Argentine journalist Veronica Brunati wrote: “July 1, 2023, Lionel Messi will be a Barca player.” There were no other details mentioned by the journalist, who also covers the Argentina national team. Messi is currently enjoying the start of the 2022-23 campaign, scoring seven goals in 12 club appearances across all competitions. Read more to know who is the best football team in the world.
Barcelona vice president Eduard Romeu said last week that Barcelona is now financially capable to sign Messi back. “It would be possible financially because if he returned, it would be as a free agent,” Romeu said in a local radio interview. “But it’s a decision which has to be made by the coaching staff and the player. It doesn’t correspond to me, but it would be viable.”
Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano echoed Romeu’s claims, saying that Barcelona “are dreaming” of bringing Messi back, but nothing has been agreed with the player and club yet. “Speaking to sources close to Leo Messi, there is still nothing agreed with any club; not with Barcelona – still no official bid. There is also still nothing agreed with Paris Saint-Germain who are loving Leo Messi’s impact”
Speaking about Messi’s future, Barca coach Xavi said that it’s not the right time to talk about his future. “Let’s see,” Xavi told reporters ahead of Barcelona’s Champions League Group C fixture. “I don’t think it’s the moment to talk about this. I love Leo a lot. He is my friend. I wish him the best. Barcelona is his home but I don’t think it is the moment to talk about Leo. I don’t think we are doing him a favor.”
Messi arrived at Barcelona at age 13, when he and his family came to Spain. He made his official debut on October 16, 2004. In Messi’s previous contract, signed in 2017, he reportedly earned 138 million euros ($164m) per season. He is currently preparing for Argentina’s World Cup berth after helping them win their first Copa America in Brazil.
Messi has won 35 trophies in 17 seasons with Barcelona including the Champions League four times, the Spanish league 10 times, the Copa del Rey seven times and the Spanish Super Cup eight times. He is currently the team’s all-time leading scorer with 672 goals in 778 appearances, and the top scorer in the Spanish league with 474 goals in 520 matches. He also earned himself a record six Ballon d’Or awards.
In his last season with Barca, he scored 30 goals and helped the team win the Copa del Rey title, Barcelona’s first trophy since 2019. Last year, Messi signed a two-year contract with French soccer powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain after becoming a free agent at the end of his contract at Camp Nou. He left the Spanish club after 21 years, or about 17 successful seasons due to the club’s financial limitations.
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