Barcelona have started contract negotiations with club legend Lionel Messi in hopes that he would make a sensational return to the club in 2023.
This news was first reported by Catalonia Radio on Sunday night after Barcelona Mexican side Pumas . thrashed UNAM 6–0 in the Joan gamper Trophy.
¡Final del partido!
⚽ Barca 6-0 Pumas
👟 Lewandowski (x2), Pedri (x2), Aubameyang and F. De JongEl Trofeo Joan Gamper es azulgrana! 🔵🔴 pic.twitter.com/WKgPrwK3xm
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) August 7, 2022
According to the stations El Club the la Mitjanita program, club president Joan laporta has already talked to Messirepresentatives, which is led by his father and agent Jorge Messi.
Situation, Messicontract with Paris Saint Germain expires in June 2023. However, there is an option for the seven times Balloon d’Or winner to extend his contract for another 12 months if he wishes.
It has been reported that Messi could be tempted to return to Barcelona and spend the final years of his stellar career at the club where he made his name.
Messi joined the club’s world famous academy, La masia when he was just a teenager.
Linking the Rumors Messi with a return to the Catalan club were fueled in part by comments from laportawho said he owed a “moral debt” to Messi for the way he left last summer.
laporta spoke to CBS Sports and was questioned about Messiis moving to PSG.
He said: “I did what I had to do to put the attitude above the best player in history. I have known Messi since he was a kid i love leo.
“I feel morally guilty of being the best player in history. I will do my best to take care of it Messi has the best finish of his career with Barcelona.
“I’d love to do it. It won’t be easy, but I think we could do it with the right strategy. We’ll do our best to have Messi ending his career at Barcelona.”
laporta was also asked whether negotiations would start immediately.
He replied, “This is an idea we have. Now is not the best time to talk about it as he is a player of PSG and he has one year left on his contract. We have to respect it.”
In the meantime, Messi has a promising start to the Ligue 1 season with the Parc des Princes Club. The Argentina international stole the show during the 5–0 win against Clermont Foot after assisting once and scoring twice, with one of his goals being a brilliant overhead kick.
Shall Messi return to camp Well next season? Time will tell.