Barcelona president Joan Laporta has vowed to do everything possible to re-sign Lionel Messi when his contract with PSG expires next summer.
Messi, 35, left the Nou Camp on a free transfer to join the French giants in 2021, bringing an emotional end to his 21-year Barcelona career.
Laporta, who acknowledged he is ‘indebted’ to the Argentine superstar, is determined to entice him back to the Catalan club next year.
‘I owe a lot to Leo Messi,’ he remarked.
‘I want him to finish his career wearing a Barcelona shirt and being celebrated in every stadium.’
‘I feel partially responsible for how things ended, and I believe that this is only a temporary setback and that we will make this dream a reality.’ At least, that’s the hope.’
Messi’s time at the Nou Camp ended bitterly, as he lodged a transfer request via burofax after Barcelona was thrashed 8-2 by Bayern Munich in the Champions League in 2020.
He chased a move away all summer and had difficult meetings with the club’s hierarchy, insisting that his contract allowed him to leave on a free transfer – yet after a court struggle, Barcelona compelled him to stay for another season, with the player alleging the club had broken promises to him.
Messi appeared to be ready for a stunning U-turn the following summer after deciding to extend his stay with his beloved Barcelona.
However, Barcelona’s continuous financial problems, exacerbated by the Covid-19 outbreak, precluded the club from offering Messi anything near to his £500,000-a-week contract in 2021, prompting the forward to seek greener pastures in France.
Messi sobbed at his farewell interview, but if Laporta can pull off a deal, he may make an equally tearful comeback in 2023.
During his two-decade stint with the LaLiga giants, he scored 670 goals and had 302 assists in 776 appearances.
Barcelona appear to have turned their financial problems around this summer, spending over £140 million for Sevilla defender Jules Kounde, Leeds winger Raphinha, and Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski.