The TRUTH behind Messi's Barcelona visit

Tom Weber

• Updated: 24 Apr 2023 10:34 BST
• 3 min read

Lionel Messi has been spotted out and about in Barcelona as rumours about a potential return continue to swirl.

The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner has been the subject of one of the biggest transfer sagas in recent months. With his contract at Paris Saint-Germain set to expire in the summer, rumours about the soon-to-be 36-year-old's future have abounded.

Inter Miami, Al-Hilal and a contract extension in Paris have all been touted as potential options, but the one that has picked up the most steam of late has undeniably been a potential return to Barcelona. Indeed, Blaugrana president Joan Laporta and other members of the club hierarchy have made no secret about their intentions to bring the club legend back.

Barcelona's financial troubles are still, however, the biggest roadblock to any potential deal - in fact, they were the reason why Messi departed in the first place. Drastic budget cuts for the current playing squad are being planned in order for Barcelona to be able to comply with LaLiga's Financial Fair Play regulations, but the jury is still out on whether this undoubtedly unpopular move will help the club afford Messi.

READ: Mbappe hopes to ruin Barcelona's Messi pursuit

Amid all these rumours about a comeback, the Argentine has now been spotted back in Barcelona and there are suggestions that he was there to discuss his future.

Why did Messi visit Barcelona?

Those suggestions are, however, unfounded. At least that is what Spanish news outlet Mundo Deportivo is saying. The Argentine did not visit his former home to begin negotiations for his triumphant return in the summer. On the contrary, business talks were not on the agenda of the World Cup winner.

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Messi's entourage has apparently confirmed to Mundo Deportivo that the Barcelona visit was purely a leisure trip. The 35-year-old simply wanted to relax with his family in warm Catalonia now that PSG are all but confirmed Ligue 1 champions following their recent victory over upstarts Lens who were the Parisians' biggest threat before the latters' 3-1 victory on April 15.