Barcelona is expected to demand three conditions from Lionel Messi if he wishes to return to the Nou Camp this summer.
Despite scoring his 800th career goal on Thursday night during his emotional return to Argentina, Messi’s future beyond this season remains uncertain.
His contract with Paris Saint-Germain is set to expire in June, and his recent anti-France chants while on international duty have not gone down well with some fans.
Paris Saint-Germain fans are already discontent with Lionel Messi following their recent Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich.
Nevertheless, the club is eager to retain him and has initiated contract talks, but a deal is yet to be reached. Messi has also been linked with a move to Inter Miami in the MLS, as well as a potential reunion with Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia, while Barcelona is also keen to have him back.
According toMundo Deportivo, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner will have to make it clear he wants to return, accept a lesser role in the team and lower his salary, all to come back to the Nou Camp.
Messi and Barcelona president Joan Laporta is reportedly not on the best of terms, so the club chief wants the player to make it clear he wants to play there.
That information may have to come through Xavi, who remains good friends with the forward after their years of playing and winning together.
The forward wouldn’t be handed the captaincy back if he returned, with Robert Lewandowski, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, and Ronald Araujo now amongst the leaders in the dressing room.
And lowering his wages might be the biggest obstacle to Messi returning, considering the club’s well-known financial issues in recent years.
Finances could also be why PSG wouldn’t be as bothered to lose him as they might be, as they continue to be under threat of FFP breaches.
Messi’s choice of the club could yet be affected by any charge that Barca could be hit with, following allegations of corruption in Spain.