Barcelona president Joan Laporta said that Camp Nou would always be Lionel Messi‘s “home” when asked about a potential move for the Argentina international next year.
Messi’s contract with Paris Saint-Germain is due to expire next June, and there have been suggestions that Barcelona want to bring him back to the club on a free transfer.
The 35-year-old will allegedly not make a decision on his future until after the World Cup, as he wants to fully concentrate on the competition.
Laporta said that Barcelona will always be Messi’s “home” when asked whether a return to the Catalan giants ahead of the 2023-24 campaign was possible.
“Messi’s return to Barca in 2023? Leo knows that Barcelona is always his home,” Laporta told Sport.
Messi has been in strong form for PSG during the 2022-23 campaign, scoring 12 goals and registering 14 assists in 18 appearances in all competitions.
The South American scored 672 goals and registered 302 assists in 777 appearances for Barcelona before his exit on a free transfer in the summer of 2021, with the La Liga giants unable to sign him to a new contract due to their financial problems.
Inter Miami are also believed to be in the running for Messi’s signature, with the MLS outfit seemingly prepared to offer him a lucrative deal to make the move to North America.
Laporta also addressed Gerard Pique‘s exit, with the central defender now officially retired from football.
“Pique’s departure was decided by himself. No doubt motivated by his situation on the pitch. If Gerard had had the coach’s confidence and had played like an undisputed starter, he obviously wouldn’t have left. Pique has decided what he wanted to do and we, from the board of directors, respect it,” he added.
Laporta also revealed that both he and head coach Xavi attempted to convince Pique to depart over the summer, with the 35-year-old dropping down the pecking order for the centre-back spots.
“Xavi has been very honest with him. From the very start the coach told him that he was not going to use him and I also discussed his situation with him. But Gerard is a competitive man, a winner, and he still saw himself as a starter and wanted to continue,” he said.
“Although in the end he has seen reality and has made a decision. He has had a way of saying goodbye to the club, given the rush, it was very nice. We always want our heroes to be eternal but it is impossible.”
Pique had made 10 appearances for Barcelona this season, but the majority of his action came due to the team’s defensive problems in the opening months of the campaign.
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