LIONEL Messi could make a stunning return to Barcelona next summer – at 36.
Rumours of a move back to Catalonia for the South American star have grown in recent weeks with Messi already in the final year of his two-season deal at PSG.
Messi is understood to be committed until the end of this campaign, with PSG’s Qatari owners determined to keep him until after the World Cup and for the second half of the season.
Barca coach and former team-mate Xavi fuelled the speculation as he refused to dismiss the concept, only stating: “Let’s see how it goes but this is not the time to talk about Leo.
“We love him very much but we wouldn’t be doing him any favours to talk about it. We have to let him enjoy Paris now.”
And now Argentine journalist Veronica Brunati, known to be close to the Messi family, has declared the superstar has decided to go back to the Nou Camp.
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She posted on Twitter: “On July 1, 2023, Lionel Messi will be a Barcelona player.”
It would be a spectacular move for Messi, who won four Champions Leagues and 10 LaLiga crowns at the club before his move to France after Barca announced they could no longer afford his salary.
Messi broke down in tears but agreed to move on a salary believed to be in the order of £700,000 per week with the French side.
The Argentina international spent 17 scintillating years at Barcelona and won seven Ballon d’Or awards.
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The star forward amassed a staggering total of 672 goals and 303 assists in 778 appearances.
This season, Messi has already registered seven goals and eight assists in 12 appearances across all competitions for PSG.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
