Spanish football giant FC Barcelona are looking to bring one of its iconic star and Argentina World Cup winner Leo Messi, back from PSG.
The club’s vice president, Rafa Yuste confirmed the rumours for the first time after months of speculation over the player’s future.
“We have been in contact with Leo Messi’s camp. Leo knows how much we appreciate him, and I’d love for him to come back here,” Yuste said.
Messi joined PSG on a two-year contract on a free transfer in August 2021 after being told by Barcelona they could not afford to have him in the fold.
The magical goalscorer’s deal at PSG was for two years with the option of a third, but the final 12 months would have to be triggered by either him or his current club.
Barca is now likely to make a move for their former captain according to top officials of the club. Yuste said: “I was involved in contract talks two years ago and still remember how hard it was to let Messi leave.”
Messi appears keen to stay in elite European football until at least summer 2024, even though there has been reported interest from MLS and Saudi Arabian clubs, but no formal offers have been presented yet.
Saudi Arabia is not hiding its interest in Messi and has not given up its chase of the mercurial player, as the country will fancy him joining fellow star Cristiano Ronaldo in elevating their league.
Despite the World Cup winner’s discussions with Paris Saint-Germain over a new contract that may see him stay till 2024, Barcelona heads are banking on a reunion with Messi, whom they believe would love to return to the city he once called home.
The vice president said: “For sure, Leo Messi loves Barça and the city, so we hope to find the right conditions to continue his history here”.
Messi spent 20 years at Barcelona after arriving from Argentina as a teenager. During his two-decade stint, he became the club’s record appearance holder and top scorer, scoring 672 times in 778 games.
He won four Champions League and 11 LaLiga titles, and was named the best player in the world on six occasions and for a seventh time since leaving.
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