Joan Laporta and Luis Sabalza during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona v Osasuna at the Camp Nou on March 13, 2022 in Barcelona Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Barcelona president not contemplating Lionel Messi return
Lionel Messi holds a press conference at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on August 8, 2021.(Photo by PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images)
Whatever Lionel Messi’s future holds, it won’t be at Barcelona
The final moments of Lionel Messi’s Barcelona career was of the Argentine in tears, confirming his departure from a club he had been at since he was a teenager.
Unable to get a contract renewal to fit within the confines of LaLiga’s wage structures, it ultimately ended in a split and the player joining Paris Saint-Germain.
Life in Paris, sporting wise, has been a mixed bag with the Parisian side being knocked out by Real Madrid in the Champions League and with the only piece of silverware being the league title.
Therefore, it’s no surprise Messi’s future at PSG is being questioned with some insinuating there could be a potential return to his former club.
Any hopes of that happening have been dashed by club president Joan Laporta.
Laporta was asked about signings ahead of next season and confirmed they had reached agreements with two players though he did not give any names. Those two players are Andrea Christensen and Franck Kessie.
He was also asked about Messi and about a return to Barcelona.
“I’ve not received a single message from Leo or his camp in that direction,” Laporta said. “At the moment, we’re not considering it. We’re building a young team that is starting to click.
“Leo is Leo, he is the best in the world, but we are not contemplating his return.”
Source: ESPN
Given the way things played out, many assumed the relationship between Laporta and Messi was strained. Laporta confirmed as such as well.
“Our relationship isn’t as fluid now he’s in Paris,” Laporta said. “It was not easy for me. I would have liked things to work out differently. But I could not put the club at risk. I think we did what we had to do. We don’t speak like before.”
Source: ESPN
For a football romantic, Messi returning and finishing out his career at Barcelona would be as close to an ideal ending. But the possibility looks rather remote.
Under Xavi, the Catalan side is undergoing a transformation. They’re going back to what made them successful under Pep Guardiola. Wit Xavi, the pressing has returned and he’s utilized the young players on his team.
In other words, it would be difficult to see Messi starting under Xavi. His struggles at PSG are well documented and given his age, he would not be an undisputed starter under the former Barcelona midfielder.
Messi has said he is going to consider his future once the World Cup is over. He may well leave PSG despite having a year left on his deal.
He could go and play in MLS or Argentina. The only thing for certain is he won’t be returning to Barcelona. At least, not as an active player.
