‘Leo wants BACK to Barcelona’: Messi’s father and agent meet Joan Laporta and admit he would like to see his son re-sign at Nou Camp as the Spanish giants try to rival Al-Hilal’s massive £2bn bid
Lionel Messi’s father and agent Jorge Messi was seen entering a building with Barcelona president Joan Laporta before admitting his son wants to return to the Nou Camp.
Messi had confirmed he would be leaving PSG at the end of the season after two years with the French side, playing his last game for the club on Saturday in a 3-2 defeat to Clermont, where the World Cup winning captain was booed by his own fans.
There is strong interest in his next move, with former club Barcelona, Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal – who could offer a deal worth £2bn – and Inter Miami among the favorites to secure his signature set.
But the attacker’s father – who is also his agent – was seen heading to what is believed to be Laporta’s home in a video shared by Toni Juanmarti, as talks of a sensational return to Spain continue.
A deal would see Messi return to the club he called home for 17 years, likely giving the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner a fairytale end to his career.
Lionel Messi’s father and agent has held talks with Barcelona president Joan Laporta about a return
Messi has left PSG and his father has said he wants to return to Barcelona this summer
A return to Barcelona would see him reunite with former team-mate Xavi (right), who is now the manager
¿¿EXCLUSIVES¿¿
Ahora mismo, reunion at the house of JOAN LAPORTA between the president of Barça and JORGE MESSI to possibly return to Argentina. pic.twitter.com/dYVu16QTz8
— Toni Juanmarti (@tjuanmarti) June 5, 2023
After the meeting, Messi Sr. that his son is happy to return to Spain if a deal can be made.
“Leo wants to go back to Barcelona and I would like to see him come back to Barcelona,” he said. “Moving to Barça is definitely an option.”
When it was announced that Messi would leave PSG, a statement from PSG on their social media channels read: ‘After two seasons with PSG, the adventure between Leo Messi and Paris Saint-Germain will end at the end of 2022. -23 campaign.
“The Club wishes Leo, with unmistakable emotion, many more successes for the rest of his career.”
In a press release from the club, Messi said: “I want to thank the club, the city of Paris and its people for these two years. I wish you all the best for the future.”
He scored 32 goals for the club in 73 appearances for the club as he rekindled his relationship with Neymar and formed a formidable striker with the Brazilian and Kylian Mbappé.
PSG confirmed the striker would be leaving the club for their last game of the season over the weekend
Messi was moved to tears when he left Barcelona for France two years ago
Laporta would like to sign a deal for Messi now that the club’s problems have cooled down
But he failed to help the Parisians lift their coveted first Champions League trophy, falling short on both attempts while Messi was at the club, and they must now look for alternative options.
At Barcelona, Messi is an icon and has scored a plethora of goals for the Spanish side – netting 672 times in 778 appearances and winning 34 trophies.
He was moved to tears when he left in 2021 – having been forced to leave Nou Camp following the club’s financial crisis. Their crippling debts meant they couldn’t afford to pay his eye-watering £500,000 a week.