September 24, (THEWILL) – After Lionel Messi left Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain in 2021, it has been an open secret that the Catalan side has been exploring ways to reverse the move. It is now clear that Barcelona are “studying” options for how to get him back in next season.
The expiration of Messi’s previous Barça contract and the inability of Barca to muscle up the required funds for a new deal left the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner no options, but to sign a free agent contract with PSG.
However, as Joan Laporta, Barça president, insisted during the summer, the “Messi chapter is not over.” Laporta, who made Messi a key part of his campaign to return as club president, had said at the point of losing Messi: “I think it’s our responsibility to try to…find a moment to fix that chapter, which is still open and hasn’t closed, so it turns out like it should have and have a more beautiful ending. As president of Barca, I did what I had to do [letting Messi go from a financial perspective]. But also as president of Barca, and on a personal level, I think I owe him.”
Barça is looking into potential ways to work with Messi again and a playing role is not the only option. Although his PSG contract does offer an option for another year to 2024, it would be ideal to get him on a free transfer in 2023.
But, he will have to complement Xavi’s new idea and there must be adequate wage room for him to return in a playing capacity, which there clearly was not in 2021. When he turns as 36 next summer, he might have to accept a lower income, as well as a reduced role on the field. Or perhaps as a global ambassador, travelling the world to represent the team off the field, if he were to retire soon, but this would merely be a backup plan.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
