19 April 2023 , 17:54
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LaLiga president Javier Tebas has told Barcelona that they cannot currently re-sign Lionel Messi, despite Camp Nou chiefs lining up a two-year contract offer.
Messi, 35, is on the verge of leaving Paris Saint-Germain at the end of his contract in June and Barca have confirmed their interested. The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner has played his football with the French champions since August 2021, having been forced to leave boyhood club Barcelona due to their well-documented financial issues which still haven't been resolved.
As a consequence, Tebas believes that the prospect of Messi's return should be placed on hold, with Barca unable to register new players until they comply with LaLiga's stringent financial regulations. "Barca must take many financial measures to undertake Messi's registration," Tebas declared on Wednesday.
"They need lot of effort to make it happen. Today I don't see his signing as feasible. But there's a lot of time left, Barca can still make moves to get Leo. We are still awaiting a feasibility plan from Barcelona. They need a big effort to make it happen."
Nevertheless, Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo claim that Barcelona chiefs are still pursuing Messi's signature and drawing up a lucrative contract which would run until 2025. Club officials privately hope that having the Argentine icon back in Catalunya would count for up to a third of next season's financial income.
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Having held talks with Messi's father and agent, Jorge, Barcelona president Joan Laporta has spoken of his confidence regarding Messi's return. First-team manager Xavi has also urged the 35-year-old to return to the Camp Nou for a "last dance."
Have your say! Should Messi return to Barcelona? Give us your verdict in the comments section.
Lionel Messi is set to leave PSG when his contract expires in June (Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
Xavi is desperate to have Lionel Messi back at Barcelona (Joan Valls/Urbanandsport)Xavi recently noted: "There is the [financial] fair play issue, but more than anything it depends on Leo's intentions and [if he wants] to come back. If that's his intention, we will speak about it.
"We are friends, we speak often, but it's not the moment to talk about this, for the good of Leo, the club or the squad. It's an issue we're dealing [with], but from that to [him returning] is a big leap. I hope we see him come home. I'm the first person who would love to see the best player ever return. And it is normal that fans are excited about a 'Last Dance' like [with] Michael Jordan."
In March, Barca vice-president Rafa Yuste confirmed plans for Messi's sensational homecoming. "I participated in the [contract] negotiations that in the end did not come to fruition unfortunately and I still have that thorn in my side," Yuste admitted, referencing the Argentina international's 2021 exit. "Of course I would love to see him return and I am sure that many fans share my feeling.
"I believe beautiful stories in life have to have happy endings and that’s why we are in contact with Messi, of course. When you're in love with a person, you lose contact but you want to continue being in love and I think Leo is also in love with Barca and the city of Barcelona. I think fate will make it possible. Let's see if we can have Leo back in Barcelona."