Xavi asks Barcelona to re-sign Messi
Karan Tejwani
- Updated: 25 Jul 2022 09:58 BST
- 3 min read
Barcelona are already spending big this summer, but have an objective for next year: bringing back Lionel Messi to the club.
The Catalans have already brought in a few stars to bolster their team, but coach Xavi has asked President Joan Laporta to facilitate a return for the Argentine next summer.
Messi left his boyhood club last year and moved to Paris Saint-Germain, joining them on a two-year deal, and he enters the final year of his contract this season.
The topic of Messi has often come up since Laporta returned as President, but his return has often been shrugged off, however, there is a feeling there may be a chance here.
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Xavi hoping to bring back Lionel Messi
Barcelona had to let go of Messi at the end of the 2020-21 campaign following the expiry of his contract and their financial issues meaning they couldn’t complete a renewal.
Now, according to reports in Spain, Xavi wants to see Messi’s return in 2023 – he maintains an excellent relationship with the player, and believes he can still contribute to the team.
Additionally, Xavi also believes he could contribute to the financial situation of the club, and that he wishes to see Messi end his playing career as a Barcelona player.
Laporta has also been talking up a possible return, recently saying: "To Barca, he's been possibly its greatest player, the most efficient. To me he's only comparable to Johan Cruyff. But it had to happen one day.
Lionel Messi
Barcelona 🆚 Liverpool
2018/19
Postage stamp 📮 pic.twitter.com/T4MBvpsziz— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 28, 2021
“We had to make a decision as a consequence of what we inherited. The institution is in charge of players, coaches. I would hope that the Messi chapter isn't over.
“I think it's our responsibility to try to find a moment to fix that chapter, which is still open and hasn't closed, so it turns out like it should have, and that it has a more beautiful ending."
Messi had been at Barcelona since he was 13, and if he returns, he will be 36 and in his time at the club, he scored 672 goals in 778 appearances.
