FC Barcelona head coach, Xavi Hernandez, has expressed his willingness to have his former teammate, Lionel Messi, back in the club’s fold. The duo enjoyed a highly successful era together at Barca, sharing the locker room from the early 2000s to the mid-2010s, before Xavi headed to Qatar in semi-retirement in 2015.
Messi’s departure to Paris Saint Germain in 2021, following a free transfer, left a huge void at Camp Nou. Reports suggest that he has declined the option to extend his two-year contract by an extra season.
However, amidst growing speculations that the Argentine may return to his former club, Messi’s father and agent, Jorge Messi, met with Barca president Joan Laporta to explore the possibility of a potential return to Camp Nou in 2023/2024.
Xavi’s open invitation to Messi has raised fans’ hopes of seeing their all-time favorite player back in the famous Blaugrana jersey. The former midfield maestro, who is revered as one of Barca’s greatest ever players, expressed his desire to have Messi return to the club, citing his talent and commitment to the team’s cause.
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The prospect of Messi returning to Barca will undoubtedly excite fans who have missed his mercurial skills and goalscoring abilities. His return could also be a turning point for a team that has struggled to maintain the heights of its previous successes.
As the summer transfer window approaches, the possibility of Messi returning to Camp Nou will continue to dominate headlines. While nothing is confirmed yet, Xavi’s invitation to Messi suggests that the club is open to the idea of bringing back its prodigal son.
Whether or not Messi returns to Barca, his legacy at the club is firmly secured, having won numerous titles and breaking countless records during his 21-year stay in Catalonia.
