BARCELONA boss Xavi has provided perhaps the biggest hint yet that Lionel Messi could return to Barcelona.
The Argentine World Cup winner has been heavily linked with a return to the Camp Nou in the summer.
AFPXavi has dropped the biggest hint yet that Lionel Messi could return to Barcelona[/caption]
GettyThe pair played together between 2004 and 2015[/caption]
Messi, who has scored 16 goals this season and added 14 assists, has a contract at current club Paris Saint-Germain which expires in the summer.
Previous reports have indicated he has an extension offer on the table from the French club, while Saudi Arabia and Inter Miami are also keen to bring him to their respective leagues.
Barcelona want to Messi back to the club after he left on a free transfer in 2021 – owing to the club being unable to resign him due to La Liga wage rules.
And now former team-mate and current Barca boss Xavi has hinted at Messi’s return, revealing the pair are in “permanent contact.”
Asked about the possibility of a transfer for the 35-year-old, Xavi said: “Messi knows that Barcelona is his home and the doors are open, I said this many times.
“He’s my friend — we are in permanent contact, a potential return will only depend on him. Leo is the best player in history, he’d always fit in.”
Xavi played alongside Messi from 2004 until he left the club in 2015.
Messi scored a stunning free-kick in a 4-3 dramatic victory against Lille last weekend.
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However, before Barcelona take any major steps in trying to sign Messi, they will face the task of facing Manchester United in the second leg of their Europa League play-off.
The first leg between the pair ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw.
But while Erik ten Hag’s side have been handed a number of injury and availability boosts for the Old Trafford clash, Xavi has been hit with the opposite.
He has been left sweating over the fitness of key stars Frenkie de Jong and Robert Lewandowski, while Pedri is out through injury and Gavi will also not be present due to suspension.
Fortunately, history is on his side, with Barcelona having lost just once to Man Utd, albeit with that one defeat coming at Old Trafford when Paul Scholes belted in a long-range winner in 2008.