PSG attacker Lionel Messi will not consider Barcelona return as long as Gerard Pique remains at Camp Nou: Reports
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) forward Lionel Messi will reportedly not rejoin Barcelona as long as Gerard Pique is at the club as per El Nacional.
Messi, 34, left Barcelona last summer after 17 storied seasons at Camp Nou and joined PSG on a free transfer.
During his time at the Blaugrana, he scored a record 672 goals in 778 appearances. He is deemed by many to be the greatest footballer of all time.
However, Messi has not hit the ground running at PSG and has scored just seven goals and given 11 assists in 23 games in all competitions so far. He has only scored two goals in 16 Ligue 1 games, a shambolic return for a player of his caliber.
Rumors have started to emerge of him potentially returning to the Catalan giants, with Messi said to be frustrated with the French media's portrayal of him.
Gerard Piqué spoke to Joan Laporta directly in the summer and told him the solution for Barcelona would be NOT to renew Leo Messi's contract:
🚨 Gerard Piqué spoke to Joan Laporta directly in the summer and told him the solution for Barcelona would be NOT to renew Leo Messi's contract:
"Without Leo, the issue of financial fair play is fixed."
(Source: @yorkoyen) https://t.co/8HfUVj3nmE
However, a potential Messi return to the club will rest on Pique not being at the Blaugrana.
The Argentinian learned that Pique had told Barca president Joan Laporta that with Messi's departure, the club's finances would improve. The Argentine is said to be annoyed with the Spaniard telling Laporta such a thing given the two have known each other since the age of 13.
Evidence of Messi's resentment of Pique took center stage during the Argentinian's wife Antonella Roccuzzo's birthday celebrations. His former Barca teammates Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Cesc Fabregas were all present. But there was no sign of Pique or his wife Shakira. They have been regular attendants of such events in the past.
Will PSG forward Messi return to Barcelona?
The rumor mill will be making some audacious claims this summer with a list of players reportedly wanting moves. This includes Messi's PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe, who is keen on a move to Real Madrid.
Any move that sees Mbappe head to the Santiago Bernabau would likely put to bed any chance of Messi returning to the Catalan side.
PSG can ill afford to lose Mbappe, let alone both him and Messi from both a business perspective and as a collective on the pitch.
Diego Maradona Jr: "I'm convinced that Leo Messi will return to Barcelona. Maybe this summer. He doesn't look happy there." https://t.co/zzteUyH84x
Despite not living up to his normal heights that saw him flourish at Barcelona prior to his move, Messi is still a formidable player. He has contributed to Paris Saint-Germain's run in the UEFA Champions League this season, scoring five goals in six games. Notably, he missed a penalty in the round of 16 first leg against Real Madrid.
It will be interesting to see if any more information concerning the Messi and Pique debacle comes to light ahead of the summer.