FOOTBALL- Barcelona manager Xavi has urged Lionel Messi to ‘come home’ after vice-president Rafa Yuste confirmed the club were in touch over a potentially stunning return this summer.
Camp Nou bosses have started their charm offense as Messi nears the end of his contract with current employers Paris Saint-Germain, who he joined on a free transfer in August 2021. The Argentine icon had to make the heartbreaking decision to leave Barca after failing to sign a new deal with the club due to their well-documented financial woes.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta, who has always kept the door open to Messi’s sensational return, has spoken to the 35-year-old’s father and agent Jorge amid a stalemate in contract negotiations with PSG. Now Barca boss Yuste has confirmed that talks about a possible homecoming for the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner are underway.
“Leo and his family know the affection we have for them,” the club’s vice-president said on Friday. “I took part in the [contract] Negotiations that unfortunately didn’t materialize in the end, and I still have this thorn in my side. Of course I’d love to see him come back and I’m sure a lot of fans share my feelings.
“I believe that beautiful stories in life must have happy endings and that’s why we’re naturally in touch with Messi. When you’re in love with a person, you lose touch, but you want to keep being in love, and I think Leo is also in love with Barca and the city of Barcelona. I think fate will make it happen. Let’s see if we can have Leo back in Barcelona.”
Lionel Messi’s contract with PSG expires in June, currently there are no signs of a renewal.
However, Yuste still believes it is possible to bring Messi back. “We still have two months to work with Tebas and show that it’s possible,” he continued. “If all the conditions are met, then we are open to the possibility. The President [Laporta] was with Leo’s father and they have a good relationship.”
