Revealed: Why Messi might never make it back to Barcelona

FT Desk

• 13 Nov 2022 12:32 GMT
• 3 min read

Lionel Messi is out of contract with PSG at the end of the season, but his chances of a sensational return to Barcelona have taken a hit with a change in financial philosophy at the club.

Messi is arguably the greatest player of all-time, and most definitely Barcelona's, having plundered 672 goals and 303 assists with the cub on the way to claiming 10 La Ligas and four Champions Leagues between 2004 and 2021.

But the Argentine left under a cloud last summer, with Barca €1.35 billion in debt and unable to offer their talisman a new contract. He left on a free for Paris Saint-Germain, and after a difficult first season has settled into the form of old in his second.

READ: European Assists King 2022/23: De Bruyne only trails Messi

But Messi's contract at the Parc des Princes expires on 30 June next year, and he refused to agree to an extension before Argentina's assault on the World Cup in Qatar later this month.

Barca, and in particular their manager and former Messi teammate Xavi, have been vocal about their desire to see the player return, but having sold a percentage of future revenues to stay solvent in recent months, Barca don't seem ready to break the bank for Messi.

Team spirit

"Our salary scale's more balances now," said sporting director of football Jordi Cruyff. "There's no longer a big difference between the players. If a player earns four times as much as another player, it disrupts the team.

READ: Messi's family make him leave PSG

"Everyone knows there are things that can't be done in the current situation; we say: 'that's what we can afford, if you want more go to another club.'

Messi's last Barcelona contract paid out €160 million a year, and he currently earns €63.6m with PSG. Barca's best-paid players today are Frenkie de Jong and Sergio Busquets, who earn €37.5m a year.