"It would be very stupid if Tebas didn’t help us" - Barcelona executive sends message to La Liga president regarding possible Lionel Messi return
Barcelona marketing vice-president Juli Guiu has advised La Liga president Javier Tebas to help the club seal Lionel Messi's return.
The Blaugrana are eager to reunite with Messi, 35, and have sought to improve their financial situation to seal the deal. However, La Liga president Tebas has warned the club that they need to reduce their wage bill by at least €200 million.
The financial problems Barcelona have run into are the biggest hurdle in Messi's potential return. Guiu, though, argues that the Paris Saint-Germain attacker's return would benefit the Spanish league commercially. He responded to a question about the situation (via Mundo Deportivo):
“Of course, and it would be very stupid if Tebas didn’t help us if this agreement ends up happening.”
Guiu added that the commercial value Messi possesses would be great from a marketing aspect. However, he did admit that a deal isn't 100% going to happen:
“It would be good news. He is still the number one footballer in the world, no doubt about it. Haaland doesn’t have the pull that Messi has. It is clear that his return would be positive in the marketing world, but that does not mean he will return.”
The Barcelona VP's comments come just a day after Tebas had hinted that the Blaugrana could still make moves in the summer to make Messi's return happen. He also lauded Messi as the best player in the world:
“Today, I don’t see his signing as feasible. But there’s a lot of time left, and Barca can still make moves to get him, I hope and wish they make it happen. I’m a fan of Messi; he is the best player in the world."
Lionel Messi left Barca in 2021 after they were unable to offer him a new contract. He joined PSG on a free transfer, but his current deal expires at the end of the season. The forward has bagged 20 goals and 18 assists in 35 games across competitions this campaign.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner has held talks over a renewal with PSG, but they have stalled. A potential return to Barcelona is becoming increasingly likely, considering the noise coming out of Spain.
Lionel Messi wouldn't have considered Barcelona return if Gerard Pique was still playing
According to El Nacional, Lionel Messi wouldn't consider returning to Barcelona if his former teammate Gerard Pique was still playing. The Spaniard retired in November last year.
The duo came through the La Masia academy together and enjoyed massive success at the Camp Nou. They won three Champions League titles together and were a part of a dominant Barca side for the last decade and a half.
However, Messi reportedly blamed Pique for his role in his departure in 2021. The latter backed his exit to ease the club's financial complications. The Spaniard is no longer at the Camp Nou, which opens the door for Messi to return.