Which club will Lionel Messi join? PSG superstar reportedly makes transfer decision amid interest from Barcelona, Saudi and MLS
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) superstar Lionel Messi has reportedly decided to return to Barcelona after the end of his contract in June.
According to French outlet Foot Mercato (via PSG Talk), Messi is determined to leave PSG this summer. It has been claimed that Messi and his family have made up their minds about leaving the French capital, and there's unlikely to be any deviations. Barcelona are believed to be their preferred destination.
Meanwhile, Barcelona are reportedly considering innovative ideas to make his return possible. They're supposedly considering giving Messi a part of their sponsorship income, profit from jersey sales and revenue from ticket sales for home games.
It's believed that Barcelona are under pressure to bring the La Masia graduate back to the Camp Nou, as fans are eager to see the world champion’s homecoming. Barca, though, also need to adhere to financial fair play rules, meaning they need to do a lot of reshuffling to fit Messi into the puzzle.
If they fail to do so, Lionel Messi will look at alternatives. It's believed that the superstar could then consider offers from Major League Soccer and Saudi Arabia. Renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has said that Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal have sent a €400 million/year offer to Messi’s camp. If he accepts it, he will become the highest-paid athlete of all time.
Former Barcelona president Joan Gaspart insists PSG's Lionel Messi will never be 'whistled' at Camp Nou
Lionel Messi has been targeted by PSG boo-boys in his last two home games at the Parc des Princes. Legends like Thierry Henry and Emmanuel Petit have bashed PSG fans who disrespected the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Now, former Barcelona president Joan Gaspart has chimed in, claiming that Messi would never be treated that way at the Camp Nou. Speaking on Super Deportivo Radio on Radio Villa Trinidad, he said:
“At Camp Nou, Messi will never be whistled.”
He also urged Lionel Messi to return to the Camp Nou in whatever capacity he wants to:
“I would have liked Messi to never leave Barcelona and not now to try to bring him back. Personally, I would be passionate about Messi returning to Barcelona. I would like him to sign for life with Barcelona, as an ambassador. It’s secondary whether he plays or not, but for me, the human side and the person is more important. Let him return in whatever capacity he wants.”
Before leaving the Blaugrana as a free agent in 2021, Messi played 778 games for them across competitions, scoring 672 times and claiming 303 assists. He won four Champions League and ten La Liga titles, among other honors.