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Barcelona club president Joan Laporta, in a recent interview, believes the Argentine forward Lionel Messi will make his return to Spain. Messi had a difficult departure from his long-time club because of financial difficulties. Hence both entities couldn't agree to a contract and Messi had to join Paris Saint Germain as a free agent.
While talking about Messi’s return, Laporta said, “Messi was everything. To Barca, he's been possibly its greatest player, the most efficient. To me, he's only comparable to Johan Cruyff. But it had to happen one day. We had to make a decision as a consequence of what we inherited. The institution is in charge of players, coaches.”
"I would hope that the Messi chapter isn't over. 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 that it has a more beautiful ending. As president of Barca, I did what I had to do. But also as president of Barca, and on a personal level, I think I owe him", he added.
In March 2022, Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez also expressed that Lionel Messi can come back to the club whenever he wants. He said, “Messi has earned the right to have the doors open to him at Barcelona.
“While I am manager here he is welcome to come to see training every day or speak with the manager. What he has given us is priceless. He is the best player in history and he deserves a great homage from the club. But currently, he has a contract with PSG, I think he signed for two years.”
Lionel Messi became one of the greatest players in the history of football in Barcelona as he scored 672 goals in 778 appearances, winning 10 La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies. He also lifted six Ballon d'Or awards as a Barca player. The Argentine will be hoping to create a similar legacy in PSG where he has scored only 11 times in his first season.