Xavi further fuels Messi return rumours

Stuart Telford

• 11 Apr 2023 17:36 BST
• 3 min read

Barcelona manager Xavi says that Lionel Messi 'generates hope' among the club's support with speculation mounting that he could be set to return from Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season.

Messi left the Camp Nou for PSG in the summer of 2021 with the Blaugrana unable to offer him a new contract as they wrestled with a debt which, at its height, stood at €1.35 billion.

A club legend with a record 672 goals for Barca, Messi is once again out of contract, and Barca have made no secret of their intention to return him to his spiritual home.

READ: 'Leo belongs to Barcelona': Lewandowski wants Messi link-up

PSG are desperate for Messi to extend his stay in the French capital, while there are emotional ties to Barca. David Beckham's Inter Miami gave reportedly offered Messi a stake in the franchise if he joins, while Al-Hilal have offered him €400 million a year to follow Cristiano Ronaldo to Saudi Arabia.

Xavi hopes to have his former teammate under his wing in Catalonia sooner rather than later, though.

Xavi: 'Leo generates hope'

"The fans appreciate where we are," he said after Monday's draw with Girona which kept Barca 12 points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga. "But we're missing the title.

"Leo generates hope. They've been chanting his name for two games. Let's see if that happens. We focus on this season; we have to win La Liga."

READ: Barcelona's most controversial 'financial lever' yet to sign Messi

Wanting Messi to return and being able to make it happen are two very different things, though.

Barca have been told to reduce their debt by €200 million if they want to take part in La Liga next season, and whilst Messi is available on a Bosman, he will command a significant salary.

The Argentine - who fired his nation to World Cup glory in December, is PSG's second-highest earner behind Kylian Mbappe on €63.6m per year before tax, and whilst he might not demand that amount from Barca, he would expect to match Frenkie de Jong's €37.5m a season.