Barcelona manager Xavi has urged Lionel Messi to "come home" after vice-president Rafa Yuste confirmed the club were in contact over a potentially stunning return this summer.
Camp Nou chiefs have begun their charm offence as Messi approaches the end of his contract with current employers Paris Saint-Germain, whom he joined on a free transfer in August 2021. The Argentine icon was forced to make the gut-wrenching decision to leave Barca after failing to agree a new deal with the club due to their well-documented financial woes.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta, who's always kept the door open for Messi to sensationally return, has spoken to the 35-year-old's father and agent, Jorge, amid a standoff in contract talks with PSG. Now fellow Barca chief Yuste has confirmed that talks regarding a possible homecoming for the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner are under way.
"Leo and his family know the affection we have for them," the club's vice-president explained on Friday. "I participated in the [contract] negotiations that in the end did not come to fruition unfortunately and I still have that thorn in my side. Of course I would love to see him return and I am sure that many fans share my feeling.
"I believe beautiful stories in life have to have happy endings and that’s why we are in contact with Messi, of course. When you're in love with a person, you lose contact but you want to continue being in love and I think Leo is also in love with Barca and the city of Barcelona. I think fate will make it possible. Let's see if we can have Leo back in Barcelona."
What's set to be a major stumbling block in the move is Barcelona's financial predicament. LaLiga president Javier Tebas recently told the club they'll need to reduce their spending by around €150million (£131.9m) in order to sign new players and comply with the league's economic restrictions this summer.
Yuste, however, still believes bringing Messi back is possible. "There are two months left in which we can work with Tebas and show it's possible," he went on to say. "If all the conditions are met, we are open to the possibility. The president [Laporta] has been with Leo's father, and there is a good relationship."
Xavi, Messi's team-mate throughout most of his 20 years at the Camp Nou, then weighed in on the speculation ahead of his side's clash with Elche on Saturday. "There is the fair play issue, but more than anything it depends on Leo's intentions and [if he wants] to come back," the former Barca's midfielder admitted. "If that's his intention, we will speak about it.
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"We are friends, we speak often, but it's not the moment to talk about this, for the good of Leo, the club or the squad. It's an issue we're dealing [with], but from that to [him returning] is a big leap. I hope we see him come home. I'm the first person who would love to see the best player ever return. And it is normal that fans are excited about a 'Last Dance' like [with] Michael Jordan."
As for PSG, they're intent of keeping Messi at the Parc des Princes for at least one more season in their bid to finally win the Champions League. The French giants have monetary issues of their own, though, with UEFA last year slapping them with them €65m (£56m) penalty for breaching Financial Fair Play regulations.
