Lionel Messi’s father admits PSG star ‘wants to return to Barcelona’

Lionel Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, has revealed the Argentine superstar wishes to return to Barcelona this summer after holding a meeting with the Spanish club’s president, Joan Laporta. Paris Saint-Germain officially confirmed Messi would be leaving the French capital last week ahead of their final game of the season.

“I’m very happy to have been able to represent PSG,” Messi said after the game against Clermont. “I really enjoyed playing in this team and with such good players. I would like to thank the club for this wonderful experience.”

He’s now a free agent with reports linking him with a big-money move to join Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia. Reports in Spain had indicated that Al Hilal offered Messi a contract worth an astonishing £1billion.

However, there have long been rumours of Messi’s wish to return to Barcelona after his emotional depature two years ago. And it appears as though a return to the Nou Camp could be on the cards with his father holding a meeting with Laporta on Monday.

Jorge Messi was approached by Spanish media after he exited the meeting, where he confirmed that a return to Barcelona is possible. He said: “Messi wants to return to Barca and I would love for him to come back. It is an option.”

Barcelona have made no secret that they’re hoping to work out a way for Messi to return. Xavi admitted recently that he was in talks with his former team-mate and has pleaded with the Barcelona board to make it happen.

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“I’m in no doubt that if Messi were to return, he would help us in what we are wanting to achieve with our football,” he said. “I am in no doubt and I’ve told this to the president. He continues to be a determined footballer, he has the hunger still.

“He’s still a winner, he’s a leader and he’s different. At Barcelona, we’ve not have the same level since what we reached as a pinnacle in 2010. Messi brings you the talent of being able to play the final pass, he opens doors, scores goals. In the final third he can provide the difference.

“There’s no doubt that he would still help us a lot – but in the end it all depends on him. We’re going to talk to him and his representatives. I think Leo has the upper hand, there is no doubt. Yes, it’s true that we’ve already won in the post-Messi era and that has extraordinary merit, it’s extraordinary, it’s not valued anyway, but the fear that we had was when Leo leaves, what are we going to do?”

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