Barcelona dealt TWO major Messi blows in 24 hours

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 23 May 2023 09:00 CDT
• 3 min read

The prospect of Lionel Messi making a sensational return to Barcelona appears to be diminishing with each passing day.

The latest blow that the Catalan side have suffered is the PSG attacker clashing with current Barca forward Robert Lewandowski following Argentina’s 2-0 World Cup 2022 victory over Poland on Wednesday.

With Poland chasing a late goal, Lewandowski fouled Messi in the centre of the pitch before looking at him in a cold and indifferent manner. The pair exchanged words after the match in what appeared to be a frosty exchange.

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What did Messi say to Lewandowski?

Messi was tight-lipped over what exactly he said to the Barcelona forward after the match.

“Nothing happened. Nothing,” Messi claimed in the mixed zone. “I was taught that everything that happens on the pitch stays on the pitch and that everything that happens in the locker room stays in the locker room.

“I respect everyone, both on and off the field. No problems.”

Nevertheless, this was not the type of exchange that suggested that Messi will be in a hurry to return to Camp Nou when his PSG contract expires in the summer.

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PSG to offer Messi new deal

Another blow to Barcelona’s already slim hopes of seeing Messi as a player at Camp Nou again has been dealt by PSG, with Goal reporting that the Ligue 1 champions will offer the player a contract extension following the World Cup.

Barca boss Xavi may have indicated that he would like Messi to return to the club as a player, but the prospect of PSG offering the 35-year-old another big-money deal makes it increasingly to see how that is possible.

Inter Miami are also thought to be pursuing Messi, while Barcelona’s directors have suggested that it will be hard to find room for his wages given their difficult financial position.