Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Xavi, Messi in regular contact over Barca return

Written by 
Published in Soccer
Monday, 29 May 2023 13:57

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said he told club president Joan Laporta that he would like to have Lionel Messi back next season and said he speaks to his former teammate regularly about a possible return to the team.

Messi, 35, left Barca two years ago at the end of his contract, but he will be available as a free agent this summer when his deal with Paris Saint-Germain expires.

"In terms of what I am in charge of, the football side of things, there are no doubts that if Messi comes back he is going to help us," Xavi told Diario Sport when asked if Messi returning would make sense.

"I have made that clear to the president. I don't have a single doubt about that because he is still a difference-maker, he is still hungry, he's a winner and he is a leader.

"We don't have a team with the talent of 2010, for example, and what does Messi bring? He brings talent. He is capable of providing the final pass, taking free kicks, scoring goals. He is a differential player in the final third.

"For that reason, and for how I want to play, for me there is no doubt that he would add a lot. But it depends on him."

Xavi said that despite talking to Messi, whom he played alongside during a trophy-laden spell at Barcelona, he does not know what his former teammate is thinking regarding his future at the moment.

ESPN previously revealed he will leave PSG when his contract expires in June, while, in addition to Barca, there is also interest from Saudi Arabia and Major League Soccer.

"It's difficult to put yourself in the shoes of a player who has won it all," Xavi added. "I don't know what doubts he might have about coming back this summer.

"Maybe [he could have doubts] because it's another project now and because important players who he had a good relationship with, like Busi [Sergio Busquets] and Jordi [Alba], are leaving. I don't know, I am not in his head.

"With the relationship I have with him, I think I have been very clear. The door is open for him here. It depends on his personal decision.

"It would be the same idea and model of play with Messi. Leo could play in various positions: as a false nine, a winger, a midfielder, even at the base [of the midfield] arriving to make the final pass.

"He has almost become a midfielder, he has that capacity. Maybe he has lost that explosiveness [he had when he was younger], but we saw an extraordinary Messi at the World Cup. I still think he has years ahead of him at the top level."

In addition to Messi having to agree to come back, Barca also have financial hurdles to clear to be able to re-sign a player they could not afford to keep when he was forced to leave in 2021.

To be able to register new contracts already handed to current first-team players and make signings ahead of next season while complying with LaLiga's financial fair play rules, they need to make savings of over €150 million first.

However, with the departures of Busquets and Alba, two of the biggest earners at the club, they have started to make cutbacks on wages, while they will also look to bring in transfer fees for players in the squad who have not featured regularly this season.

Read 105 times

Soccer

Alves reports for weekly Barcelona court visit

Alves reports for weekly Barcelona court visit

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFormer Brazil footballer Dani Alves on Thursday checked in at a Bar...

Fulham stadium plans include rooftop pool

Fulham stadium plans include rooftop pool

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFulham have unveiled lavish plans for their redeveloped Riverside S...

Liverpool, Utd campaign to combat tragedy abuse

Liverpool, Utd campaign to combat tragedy abuse

EmailPrintLiverpool and Manchester United have jointly launched an education programme through their...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

Basketball

MPJ defends brother amid betting investigation

MPJ defends brother amid betting investigation

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsDenver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. said Wednesday night that...

Rockets, with play-in in sight, win 10th straight

Rockets, with play-in in sight, win 10th straight

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsOKLAHOMA CITY -- Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta, front offic...

Baseball

'He looks happy': Has Juan Soto finally found a home with the Yankees?

'He looks happy': Has Juan Soto finally found a home with the Yankees?

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsWHEN JUAN SOTO began to initiate himself with the New York Yankees,...

Athletics' Andújar has surgery, could miss month

Athletics' Andújar has surgery, could miss month

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsOAKLAND, Calif. -- Athletics outfielder Miguel Andujar had surgery...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated