Lionel Messi will decide his future THIS WEEK after exit from PSG, Barcelona manager Xavi says

Barcelona manager Xavi has revealed that Lionel Messi will decide his future next week – and he will be welcomed with open arms.

Messi left Barca to join PSG in 2021 and spent two years in Paris, but boss Christophe Galtier confirmed on Thursday that the 35-year-old would be leaving the club.

The Argentina World Cup winner has been linked with a move to Inter Miami, who are reportedly willing to sign him on a free transfer before loaning him to Barcelona for 18 months.

Now Barcelona boss Mundo Deportivo has told Messi will make a decision in the next seven days – and nothing is stopping a return to LaLiga in the Spaniard’s eyes, despite the club’s well-documented financial struggles.

Xavi said, ‘He’ll decide next week and now there are 200 hypotheses. In the end he will decide his future and here he has the doors open, there is no more discussion.

Barcelona manager Xavi said the Argentine would be welcomed with open arms

“If it is the coach who has to give permission to come, then he has 100% permission.”

When asked what role Xavi sees Messi in, the 43-year-old said: “Well, in a lot of positions he can adapt inside, he can play as a winger, he can play as a midfielder, he can play as a false nine. , where he played all his life.

“Ultimately you have to find a natural habitat to improve all your game, but I can see it can help us a lot. I think we’re missing that talent in the last third and Leo always gives it to you.’

Messi is looking to make a sensational return to the Catalan giants, but the club is embroiled in a battle with LaLiga to see if a move is financially viable.

Messi’s only concrete offer to date is from Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal, with the Riyadh team offering a two-year contract worth nearly £2 billion.

Spanish champions Barcelona have been at odds with LaLiga over financial rules in recent years and the club, led by Messi’s former teammate Xavi, must get the green light from the league for their economic plan before signing the star.

Xavi and Messi played teammates together during a successful time for Barca.

And Messi could return to work under Xavi, who took up the managerial job at Barca in November 2021, just a few months after the Argentine left for PSG.

The pair were teammates as players, but Xavi only became Barcelona boss after Messi’s departure

Xavi also revealed in the interview that Barcelona’s transfer schedule would not change even if Messi did not join the club.

Messi’s final PSG game will be against Clermont Foot on Saturday night, the day before Barcelona’s successful LaLiga campaign concludes with their trip to Celta Vigo.

Messi won 21 major trophies and six Ballons d’Or in 17 years during his time at Barcelona. Since joining PSG, he has won two Ligue 1 titles to add to his stunning list of achievements, winning the World Cup with Argentina last December.

But Barcelona have been at odds with LaLiga over financial rules in recent years, which will make it difficult to reach a deal that suits all parties.