Messi advert teases return to Barcelona

James Shearman

• 18 May 2022 20:18 BST
• 3 min read

Lionel Messi has starred in an advert reflecting on his time at Barcelona, teasing that he could make a return to Camp Nou.

Working with Champions League sponsors Mastercard, the ad tells the story of Messi's career in football.

And, given his future is up in the air, after an underwhelming campaign with Paris Saint-Germain, rumours of a return to Catalonia are circling,

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The 34-year-old was forced to move on last summer, given the financial predicament the La Liga club finds themselves in, having never wanted to leave.

He has registered six goals and 13 assists in 23 Ligue 1 starts, not a bad record at all, but one that is a long way short of his usual standards.

Indeed, PSG fans have been disappointed by the legend's contributions, and so the forward could decide to go back to the place he is adored.

Xavi and Laporta on Messi return

Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez would welcome former teammate Lionel Messi back to Camp Nou.

''Messi is the greatest of all time and he will always have the door open for him at Barca,'' he told GOAL earlier this season.

''As long as I am Barca’s coach, he is welcome any day. I think we owe him a big tribute.

''I think that as he is under contract with PSG, there is not much we can say. But if he wants to he can come to watch training and speak to the coach. What he has given us is priceless.''

And, club president Joan Laporta would also like to see the Argentina international make the switch.

''My communication with Messi is no longer fluid but I'd love to have Leo here present with us during the inauguration of the new stadium,'' Laporta told told Catalan outlet RAC 1.

''Camp Nou will always be his home. His departure to PSG? We did what we had to do [last summer]."

''I've received no message from Messi or his agents over a possibility of returning back to Barcelona. As of today, we are not going to be raising this issue.''