Barcelona president Joan Laporta spoke with PSG superstar Lionel Messi over the phone could signal a potential return to the club.
Lionel Messi, the star of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), allegedly spoke with Barcelona president Joan Laporta, which might lead to the Argentine’s return to Spain.
When Lionel Messi left Barcelona last year, it stunned the football world. However, few would have predicted that the Argentine would not finish his career at Spotify Camp Nou.
However, due to the club’s wage bill situation and La Liga’s strict Financial Fair Play rules, Barça could not renew Messi’s expired contract.
He eventually signed a two-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain.
However, Messi’s contract with the PSG is in less than a year, and they expected a return to Barcelona.
However, president Joan Laporta has stated that the Argentine superstar’s time at the club is not over, and manager Xavi is also open to his return.
Mundo Deportivo is now reporting that Barcelona is looking into the best ways to mend their relationship with Messi to re-sign him in the summer of 2023.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s relationship with Laporta deteriorated after the former’s departure from the club was handled.
However, the club is determined to change that and is considering several options to make things right.
From re-signing him for next year to making him an ambassador for the club or paying him a large tribute, all options are currently on the table.
While the club would welcome the opportunity to re-sign Argentina’s captain, they must consider several factors before making such a move, including the cost of the operation.
Whether there is enough room on the wage bill to accommodate him, and the team’s tactics to include him.
After all, Barcelona will be operating on a tight budget next season, with no levers to pull.
Furthermore, Xavi is developing a team for the future, and the club must ensure that this development does not stall.
There are reports that Laporta is highly motivated to bring Messi back to the club and has set a goal to accomplish this.
However, the president of Barça believes he has let down the ex-captain because he promised to extend his contract but was unable to do so due to the salary cap.
On the other hand, PSG is unlikely to give in quickly because they are ‘crazy’ about renewing the contract of the 35-year-old Messi.
There are signs of improvement in Laporta and Messi’s relationship.
Despite the superstar’s camp’s denial, exchanged messages and meetings have taken place to discuss the possibility of a return.
However, the Catalans cannot pay Messi’s current wages at PSG, and he would have to accept a pay cut if he returned to Camp Nou.
Furthermore, as Barça prepares for the future, the 35-year-old will sometimes have to take a secondary role in the team.
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According to the report, Barcelona will pay Messi a fitting tribute for his contribution to the club over the past two decades.
They would like to keep him connected to the club in a role such as Global Ambassador.
However, according to the report, the Argentine would prefer a position as Technical Secretariat.
The chance of Messi returning to Barcelona in 2023 is a possibility in some form.
Lionel Messi allegedly made nine stunning requests to extend his contract with Barcelona
PSG ace Lionel Messi allegedly submitted nine requests to Barcelona to prolong his contract in 2020, according to El Mundo via Barca Universal.
- First, he requested a three-year contract extension. Given that he was just 33 at the time, this may not come as a surprise.
- Second, the player desired a private box at Camp Nou for the families of himself and former colleague Luis Suarez.
- Third, he demanded a €10 million signing bonus from the Catalan club, an unprecedented request before PSG starlet Kylian Mbappe was granted one.
A year ago today, Barcelona announced Lionel Messi would be leaving the club.
That press conference 💔 pic.twitter.com/jjVEVxE7Vm
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 5, 2022
- Fourth, Messi demanded that any type of release clause be removed from his contract with Barcelona.
- Fifth, the player demanded a return of earnings that the club had to reduce owing to financial difficulties. Furthermore, Messi is said to have requested a 3% interest rate on the original amount of unpaid earnings.
- Sixth, Messi requested a private jet from the team over the holiday season.
- Seventh, the Argentine asked that if the Spanish government raised tax rates in Spain, his pay be adjusted proportionally.
- Eighth, Messi insisted that his personal helper Pepe Costa, who was on the club’s payroll, be allowed to continue working despite the club’s financial difficulties.
- Ninth, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, requested that the team pay a fee to his brother Rodrigo Messi, who was Ansu Fati’s representative at the time.