Lionel Messi could make an emotional return to Barcelona this summer on the expiration of his PSG contract – with Xavi giving his former team-mate an open invitation
Lionel Messi left Barcelona for PSG in tears in 2021 (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Lionel Messi will be welcomed by open arms should he choose to rejoin Barcelona from PSG this summer – with Xavi admitting it is up to his former team-mate.
The World Cup winning Argentina captain is out of contract in the summer following what will have been two seasons at PSG, having left Barcelona on a free in July of 2021.
Having found his feet in France after a tricky start, seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi could eye a return to Spain at the age of 35 – with Xavi refusing to rule it out.
He told the Hindustan Times: “Why not? (about a possible return for Messi) I think it depends on him.
“What he wants, what he feels. Of course, Barcelona is always Messi’s home. Doors will be opened for Leo, especially if I’m the coach here.
“Let’s see what he wants to do. The decision depends on Messi more than the club.”
Xavi wants a reunion with Lionel Messi next season (Image: Getty Images)
Messi has hinted in the past that he would like to play domestic football in the United States, having also been open about never wanting to again live in Barcelona.
With the club now on steadier footing and five points clear of rivals Real Madrid at the top of La Liga, Messi could now be tempted by a return to Catalonia.
PSG are said to have submitted a new contract offer to Messi with his deal coming to an end, with the forward managing 19 goal involvements across 17 league appearances this season.
Xavi played alongside Lionel Messi on 399 occasions for Barcelona (Image: Getty Images)
Earlier this week Messi had to insist that he and team-mate Kylian Mbappe get along just fine despite being on opposite sides of a tense World Cup final in Qatar.
He told OLE: “We talked about the game, the celebrations how people had lived in Argentina in those days that I had been on vacation and the festivities we had. And nothing, nothing more, but good, really good.”
He added: “The truth is that there is no problem with Kylian, quite the opposite.”
SOURCE: dailystar.co.uk
