Winners and losers of Lionel Messi re-joining Barcelona

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 18 Apr 2023 15:09 BST
• 5 min read

Barcelona legend Lionel Messi appears closer than ever to returning to club, just two years after he departed to join Paris Saint-Germain.

The Argentine forward has been constantly linked with re-joining the Blaugrana since he left, with Barcelona president Joan Laporta consistently stating that Messi is destined to return to Camp Nou over the past 12 months.

Rumours of Barcelona re-signing Messi have picked up speed in recent months, with his PSG contract set to expire this summer. Although there is reportedly an option for a further year, Messi is expected to leave the Parc des Princes when the transfer window opens at the end of the 2022/23 season.

READ: Barcelona target 'bargain' Liverpool midfielder to replace Busquets

A transfer to David Beckham's Inter Miami has long been touted, while Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal have also expressed their interest in signing the 35-year-old following Cristiano Ronaldo move to their city rivals Al-Nassr.

However, Laporta, Barca's president, has sparked excitement over Messi's return to the club when he was asked: "Messi to Barca?" by one supporter. He simply replied: "Yeah."

Barcelona fans now believe the World Cup winner will be heading back to the club in the summer, by which time he will be 36 years old.

READ: Lionel Messi’s Barcelona return CONFIRMED by Laporta with one-word answer

But, who will be the winners and losers of Messi re-joining Barcelona if the transfer happens?

WINNER - Joan Laporta

The biggest winner of Messi re-joining Barcelona would be Joan Laporta. The Blaugrana club president has faced a barrage of backlash since he took over in 2021, with fans angered by his decision to let Messi depart just months into his tenure.

Laporta took charge when Barcelona were entering into a financial hole and he was responsible for the multiple economic levers used last summer to ensure they stayed afloat. In doing so, he sacrificed millions of future earnings in order for the club to sign the likes of Jules Kounde and Robert Lewandowski.

However, if he were to bring Messi back to the club, his sins would be forgotten by the fans and he would be lorded as a hero in the city.

LOSER - Raphinha

Messi's return would likely signal the end of Raphinha's career at Barcelona, unless he'd be willing to sit patiently on the bench while the Argentine star picks up the majority of game time.

With Xavi at the helm, Messi would play a key role at Barcelona and considering Lewandowski's presence through the middle, the only natural spot for the current PSG star would be on the right flank.

That is the only space Raphinha fits in, and given Ferran Torres and Ousmane Dembele can both operate on either flank, Raphinha would likely be the one sold to make room for Messi.

WINNER - La Liga

La Liga has slowly become the division with the fewest goals in Europe's top five leagues, but Messi's return would change that.

He would bring a guarantee of goals and would ensure the league have yet another superstar amongst their ranks. While Karim Benzema, Vinicius Junior and Lewandowski are all world-class players, they don't carry the attraction of Messi and if he re-joins Barcelona then La Liga will reap the rewards.

TV deals would likely increase and the financial benefits of Messi returning to Barcelona would be dramatic.

LOSER - Ligue 1

While La Liga would benefit from Messi signing for Barcelona, Ligue 1 would lose out.

The French league remains fairly uncompetitive at the top and by removing Messi, its attraction to sponsors and TV companies would reduce hugely.

Kylian Mbappe would remain the figurehead, but Messi's global significance would be sorely missed by the division.

WINNER - Kylian Mbappe

Although Ligue 1 would be classed a loser if Messi leaves, his current PSG team-mate Mbappe could consider himself a winner.

He may still be the key piece of PSG's attack, despite Messi being present, but Mbappe would stand out on his own even more if the Argentine opts against extending his stay in the French capital.

Mbappe may miss Messi's beautifully-crafted assists, but he'd truly become the main man without him.

LOSER - Saudi Arabia

Al Hilal remain keen on signing Messi, but it's unlikely he would choose a transfer to Saudi Arabia over a dream return home to Camp Nou.

Therefore, the country looks set to miss out on reuniting Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi in the same league. That would've been huge for the growth of Saudi Arabian football and would've further helped their bid to become a powerhouse in the sport.

Instead, Ronaldo will continue playing against players far below his level week-in, week-out, rather than have a true competitor to rival.