How Barcelona want to line up for 2023/24 – including Lionel Messi

Robin Bairner

• 15 Apr 2023 10:45 BST
• 3 min read

Barcelona supporters do not want a summer transfer overhaul at Camp Nou this summer – but they do want to see Lionel Messi back in the Blaugrana.

Messi gave a tearful goodbye to Barca when his contract expired in the summer of 2021 and has played each of the last two campaigns with PSG.

The 35-year-old has enjoyed a strong campaign with the Ligue 1 leaders in 2022/23, and with his contract up in the summer, the Catalan side are eager to welcome him back into their ranks.

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Complicating this is Barcelona’s financial situation, but there is a clear desire from the fans to see the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner back in their side one more time.

This has been underlined by a poll carried out by Sport that gave readers the opportunity to name the starting XI that they would like to see at Barca next season.

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The team Barcelona fans want to see next season

Fans want no great changes to a team that has stormed to the top of LaLiga and is on the brink of the title – despite the failed European campaign in both the Champions and Europa League – with the only new face they want in the squad Messi.

Indeed, the starting XI that they have voted for is rather predictable, albeit does boast Jules Kounde at right-back – a position that he can play but is uncomfortable in.

Furthermore, it is clear that Barcelona supporters want to see the contract situations for both Ronald Araujo and Gavi straightened out. There is the potential for both to leave on a free transfer at the end of the season, though the clear desire of the two players is to remain at the club for the foreseeable future.

Equally, Ousmane Dembele is another player who is vulnerable to leaving in the summer, with a release clause in his contract tempting to clubs who are willing to overlook his worrying injury history.

The poll, meanwhile, spells bad news for the likes of Ansu Fati, Ferran Torres and Raphinha, all of whom could be sold to hep raise money to lure Messi back to the club, as well as allowing Barcelona to retain assets like Gavi and Araujo.