The Argentine was the topic not so much because of the goal he scored against Mexico that kept the Albiceleste’s dream alive at the Qatar 2022 World Cup but because The Times claimed that he already had a signed agreement with Inter Miami.
There is no actual link about Messi’s return
The return of Lionel Messi to Barcelona is a topic that regularly appears. Last Monday, Barcelona president Joan Laporta was asked again about this possibility. The Argentine was the topic not so much because of the goal he scored against Mexico that kept the Albiceleste’s dream alive at the Qatar 2022 World Cup but because ‘The Times’ claimed that he already had a signed agreement with Inter Miami. The president said that he does not talk about players who are under contract with other clubs. The reality is that Laporta can tell little about it because, with Messi, there is no actual link. One of the basic premises for this to take place is that both parties should iron out their differences after Messi’s turbulent departure from Barcelona. In this aspect, steps have yet to be taken.
Under Barca’s conditions, Leo can’t return to Camp Nou
To the problem of strained relations must be added the economic one. Barcelona continues to be constrained when it comes to making signings. For next summer, the forecast is that the Blaugrana will return to the 1/4 rule. That is to say, that to make a signing that costs 25 million euros per year (the sum of the tab and the amortization), Barcelona will have to make savings worth 100 million euros. Under these conditions, Messi can’t return to Camp Nou. There is a crucial aspect in this regard. Barcelona is indeed trying to get La Liga to relax its Financial Fair Play criteria, but it needs time. Messi has a renewal offer from PSG on the table, and in Paris, they are in a hurry. The French club will not wait long because it wants to define its squad for next season.
On the other hand, Barcelona needs time to change the criteria of La Liga and thus have space in its wage bill where the Messi operation can appear. Currently, the most likely option is for him to renew his contract with PSG. Messi is happy in Paris, and he is in superb form in a competitive team. The French club has already moved to get him to renew his contract. If the rest are not in a hurry, the chances for him to remain at the Parc des Princes are very high because the sporting reasons must be added to the economic ones.