Laporta-Messi meeting confirmed: What was discussed

Tom Weber

• Updated: 10 Apr 2023 16:50 BST
• 3 min read

Barcelona president Joan Laporta met with Lionel Messi's representatives. Here's what was discussed.

According to the Spanish radio network Cadena SER, Jorge Messi, Lionel Messi's father, met with the Barcelona chief a few weeks ago. Rumours about a potential Messi return have been abounding as the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner will be out of contract in the summer and an extension with Paris Saint-Germain is looking increasingly unlikely.

Indeed, Barcelona have already been quite public about their desire to bring the club legend back to the Camp Nou. Last week, reports surfaced that asserted that the Blaugrana hierarchy has scheduled a meeting with the LaLiga chiefs this week to discuss the financial viability of re-signing Messi.

It is understood that Barcelona will have to implement several cost-cutting measures - some of which are said to be quite drastic, like the 15 per cent pay cuts for all players - to be able to afford the Argentine and to comply with the league's Financial Fair Play regulations.

READ: European Golden Shoe 2022/23: Lionel Messi rises as Erling Haaland leads standings

What did Messi and Laporta discuss?

Cadena SER claims that thus far the only concrete offer for the 35-year-old has come from Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Hilal, who are ready to pay him €400 million per annum. Barcelona will, however, submit a proposal in the future, pending approval from the league as reports last week stated.

The radio network also contends that there was no "concrete" talk of a return during the 40-minute meeting between Jorge Messi and Joan Laporta. Instead, it is said, Laporta waxed lyrical about the Argentine and implored Messi's father not to let his son depart from Europe.

READ: The BIZARRE position Barcelona plan to play Messi next season

"Although they did not speak anything concrete about a possible return of '10' to the culé club," writes Cadena SER, "third parties have told Messi that he will receive a financial offer from Barcelona."