Lionel Messi makes TWO Barcelona demands

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 4 May 2023 13:00 BST
• 3 min read

Lionel Messi has laid down two conditions to Barcelona if he is to return to the club in the summer.

Messi finds himself suspended from PSG following an illicit trip to Saudi Arabia that saw him skip training on Monday, and as a free agent in the summer, he will depart he Parc des Princes club under a cloud.

Indeed, it is thought that Messi has kicked a ball for PSG for the last time.

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What next for Lionel Messi?

Where the World Cup winner ends up next is less clear. Messi has been given a big-money offer from Saudi Arabia, which presently looks favourite, although he is known to favour a stay in Europe, and ideally Barcelona, if possible.

According to AS, Messi has outlined two conditions for his Camp Nou return, one of which is straightforward for the LaLiga champions in waiting to achieve while the other is more complicated.

Firstly, Messi wants the No.10 shirt. Having worn No.30 throughout his time at PSG, the Argentine wants his iconic jersey if he is to return to Barca. With the out-of-favour Ansu Fati currently in possession of that shirt, this will not be a problem.

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Secondly, Messi has told Barcelona that they must send him a contract offer that is signed and endorsed by LaLiga, with all the formalities completed.

This latter condition is the major stumbling block over his return to the Catalans. Xavi’s side are stretched to the limit financially and have been told to make cuts or raise over €200 million before June 30 if they are to be allowed to sign players.

Although there have been reports that president Joan Laporta is ready to pull another financial lever, the complications involved in this process mean that it is generally considered very difficult for them to raise the type of funds to re-sign the 35-year-old, even if he is willing to take a substantial cut in his pay.

Messi’s return to Barcelona is certainly not off the table but it still looks complicated.