Messi makes FINAL DECISION on Barcelona return

Tom Weber

• 24 Apr 2023 16:40 BST
• 3 min read

Lionel Messi has made a final decision on his future, reports in Spain claim.

Ever since he first left Barcelona due to the club's financial problems, the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner has been linked with a potential return to the Camp Nou. A contract extension at Paris Saint-Germain has become increasingly unlikely in recent months, and Messi now looks set to depart when his deal expires this summer.

While interest from Inter Miami and Al-Hilal has been well-publicised, Barcelona have crystallised as Messi's main suitors in recent weeks, and they have made no secret whatsoever of the fact that they are desperate to bring their club legend back.

Their less-than-ideal economic situation - which could see them resort to draconian pay cuts to shave down their wage bill in the summer - has meant that nothing more concrete than public announcements of intent have developed on the Messi signing front thus far.

READ: Mbappe hopes to ruin Barcelona's Messi pursuit

Indeed, Mundo Deportivo reports that Barcelona simply can't send Messi their official contract offer unless LaLiga accepts the club's financial viability plan and consents to the signing. Now, the main man himself has reportedly made a decision on his future.

Messi wants Barcelona return

According to Spanish journalist Francesc Aguilar, Messi has already made up his mind regarding his future. The soon-to-be 36-year-old wants to play for the Blaugrana next season, Aguilar claims.

The journalist announced to his 50,000 Twitter followers: "They have just given me verified information regarding Lionel Messi's family that makes me feel fully optimistic about Leo's return to Barça." Messi and his family "want" to return, according to Aguilar.

READ: The TRUTH behind Messi's Barcelona visit

His comeback to the Camp Nou now "depends only on Barça and LaLiga," he added. It is a decision perhaps informed by homesickness as Messi and his family were recently spotted back in Catalonia on a trip that was reportedly purely for relaxation.