"He’s the best in history” - Barcelona chief offers opinion on Lionel Messi's Camp Nou return
Barcelona director of football Mateu Alemany has touched on the speculation linking Lionel Messi with a return to the Camp Nou in the summer.
Messi, 35, is being touted for a potential reunion with the Blaugrana when his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires at the end of the season. The iconic forward left Barca in 2021 after the Blaugrana were unable to afford a new contract for the Argentine.
Spanish journalist Gerard Romero reports that there's a 70% chance that the PSG attacker will return to Barcelona in the summer. Messi is reportedly willing to take a significant wage cut to secure a move back to his old stomping ground.
Alemany has added fuel to fire by suggesting that anything is possible in the future regarding Messi's situation. He said (via Fabrizio Romano):
“We do our thing. Messi does his thing. Messi is in Paris. ... but in the future, you never know."
The Barcelona director touched on how the Argentine great is held in high regard by the Blaugrana:
“No one can question the love that he receives here in Barcelona. He’s the best in history."
Messi is adored by the Blaugrana after carving out a phenomenal career with them. He scored 672 goals and provided 303 assists in 778 appearances across competitions. He would likely still be a Barcelona player if it weren't for their financial constraints.
The legendary forward joined PSG in 2021 but has not received the same love from Parisians fans that he garnered at the Camp Nou. He has scored 18 goals and provided 17 assists in 33 games across competitions this season.
However, PSG exited the UEFA Champions League in the Round of 16 for the second straight season. That has led to many questioning Messi's impact at the Parc des Princes, as they had made to the final a year before his arrival.
There has been debate over whether either PSG or Lionel Messi want to continue their association beyond the summer. However, the Argentine's entourage have released a statement regarding the speculation over his future, confirming talks over a renewal. It reads:
"We won’t make a public statement, but not only is it clear that Leo and the club are negotiating, but the club want Leo to stay, as the manager (Christophe Galtier) recently said."
Lionel Messi said that he didn't want to leave Barcelona
Lionel Messi wept as he gave a farewell address to Barcelona in the summer of 2021. The Argentine was disappointed to be leaving the club where he cemented his legacy. He said (via ESPN):
"I am really sad because I didn't want to leave because this is the club I love. I didn't expect this. I have never lied; I have always been honest and upfront. Last year, I wanted to leave; this year, I didn't. That's why I am so sad."
Lionel Messi also made it clear the lengths he went to to remain with the Blaugrana, agreeing a 50% reduction in wages:
"I did everything I could to stay, and it wasn't possible. I offered to reduce my salary by 50%, and Barca didn't ask for anything else. They didn't ask for another 30%; that's a lie."