‘One last dance’ – Dani Alves begs Messi to re-join Barcelona
FT Desk
- 12 Apr 2022 10:15 BST
- 3 min read
Dani Alves has pleaded with Lionel Messi to return to Barcelona for “one last dance” with him.
Messi completed a shock Bosman Transfer to PSG last summer after he was unable for legal and financial reasons to sign a new contract with Barcelona.
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The Argentine legend broke every record possible during over two decades at Barca, including scoring a brilliant 672 goals in 778 games.
However, Messi has been heavily criticised by fans and the media following an underwhelming first season at the Parc des Princes.
It took him until November 20 to score his first Ligue 1 goal and he still only has four goals all season.
He was even booed by PSG fans after they were eliminated by Real Madrid in the Champions League last-16 last month.
Kylian Mbappé, único jugador aplaudido por el Parque de los Príncipes en el anuncio por megafonía del once.@diarioas pic.twitter.com/vU3T7OLSjy
— Andrés Onrubia Ramos (@AndiOnrubia) March 13, 2022
This has led to many reports that Messi is unhappy in Paris and would like to return to Barcelona after just one season away.
What did Dani Alves say?
“I don’t know what he thinks or wants to do. I insist he come back for a year with me for one last dance,” Alves told Mundo Deportivo.
“Why not? There is no other place like this. We can’t be better than here; it’s made for us, the city, the club. He’s gone, he’s tried something different, and it’s time to come home if he wants to.”
However, the chances of Messi returning to Camp Nou seem unlikely.
PSG appear unwilling to let Messi go given that Kylian Mbappe is already likely to join Real Madrid on a Bosman Transfer.
As for Barcelona, their well-documented financial problems mean that they are probably unable to afford Messi’s salary.
Barcelona coach Xavi is also looking for a more traditional number nine, such as Robert Lewandowski or Erling Haaland.
