Barcelona: Lionel Messi before returning? Coach Xavi is in touch, confident cum Rafa Jost

Xavi played with Messi for FC Barcelona from 2005 to 2015. “The fans are looking forward to a last dance like Michael Jordan did,” the former midfielder said in the press conference ahead of the La Liga leaders’ match against FC Elche.

And Xavi continued: “I would like him to come back and help us. He is the club of his life, he is the best player in the history of the club and in the history of football.”

Vice-Chairman Rafael Yuste was also confident that the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner would return to his old workplace. Speaking at the press conference that launched the Barcelona Academy World Cup, the 59-year-old said that “fate is wise and takes you back to where you belong”.

The club has a “good relationship” with Messi’s environment. Barcelona president Joan Laporta recently met Messi’s father, Jorge Horacio.

Messi’s return to Barcelona: had it not been for the financial difficulties

Of course, the transfer also depends on the club’s economic situation, Yusti said. This is subject to the strict Financail Fairplay rules of La Liga.

Since Messi’s contract in Paris expires in the summer of 2023, he will be available on a free transfer. However, according to the French sports newspaper L’Equipe, the world champion currently earns 3.375 million euros in total per month, which is 40.5 million euros per season.

It remains to be seen how far Barcelona can go along with it or how much Messi actually compromises. The 35-year-old trained with the Catalans from 2000 to 2005 and then played with the first team from 2005 to 2021.