Joan Laporta wants Lionel Messi back.
Barcelona legend Lionel Messi’s future is already the subject of intense speculation, with the Argentina international out of contract at Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season.
President Joan Laporta has already been in touch with Messi to talk about his departure and the possibility of a return next season, according to reporter Joan Fontes. Laporta contacted Messi at the start of September and sent the forward a key message.
“Leo, you shouldn’t have gone out like that, we messed up and I want to fix it,” he said referring to Messi’s shock exit in the summer of 2020. Messi had been expected to renew his contract with Barcelona but ended up leaving after the club confirmed they could not register him.
Fontes adds that manager Xavi “speaks weekly” with Messi, while Laporta “does not want to be remembered as the President who let Messi escape.” The president is willing to “go with everything” he has to ensure the forward returns on a free transfer.
Argentina journalist Veronica Brunati has already reported that “July 1, 2023, Lionel #Messi will be a Barça player.” However, Messi’s camp have denied any agreement with his former club, according to Gaston Edul at TyC Sports.
[Source: heavy.com]