Lionel Messi could be facing a difficult decision over the first months of next year.
The 35-year-old is back playing some of his best football again at Paris Saint-Germain, who look well-placed to finally mount another serious Champions League challenge this term. Messi is combining superbly in the most fearsome front three in world football, along with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, both of whom are tied to the club beyond next summer.
But it's no secret Messi ponders over a return to his former home at Barcelona, with his old club keen to rekindle their union. Now his close friend Cesc Fabregas has appeared to shed light on the situation, by hinting the ball could be very much in Barcelona's court.
Asked about the prospect of Messi returning the the Nou Camp, Fabregas - who holidayed with the Argentine and his family this summer - told RAC1 : “I don’t know if it’s possible. It could be an option if Barca are open to it. It would be a beautiful and happy ending.”
Messi's deal at PSG expires in the summer, though it could be extended. That is PSG's intention, but Messi has informed the club he does not want to hold talks prior to this winter's World Cup in Qatar, reports Sky Sports.
The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner is fully-focused on having a good tournament with Argentina in what could be his final appearance at a World Cup. That means any discussions over a new contract will be delayed until the new year, by which time Messi would be free to hold talks with other clubs.
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Barcelona president Joan Laporta announced his intentions back in July to ensure Messi plays for the club again. Reports from Spain have since claimed Barca will attempt to bring back their former talisman as soon as possible, while the club's latest financial figures make for promising reading.
The club announced profits of €98million for last season and a turnover of more than €1billion, while forecasting profits of €274m for next season with their board approving an operating budget of €1.255b. That would leave room for a move for Messi, though perhaps not on the salary he is accustomed to at PSG.
Messi was willing to take a huge pay cut to try and stay at Barca before his forced exit just over a year ago, though, and would likely be open to making similar sacrifices if he were to decide to return. Speaking in November last year, Messi told SPORT: "I don't know if I will return when my contract with PSG ends.
"What is certain is that we are going to live in Barcelona again and that our life will be there. It is what my wife wants and what I want. I don't know if when I finish my contract with Paris [we'll go back], but to live we will return to Barcelona."
Messi's ambitions to win the Champions League again may play some part in that decision, though PSG look better placed to do so than Barcelona at present, despite his old club enjoying a recent revival of fortunes.
