Xavi hopes for Lionel Messi’s return to Barcelona and has already indicated this internally to the champion of Spain. The champion maker thinks that the almost 36-year-old playmaker of Paris Saint-Germain can still be of value despite his age. Messi has an expiring contract with PSG and there are more and more rumors that he is working on his last period in Paris.
Xavi calls Messi’s second spell at Barcelona ‘logical’ in an extensive interview with Sport. “I have already informed the club management and the chairman (Joan Laporta, ed.) of my desire to bring Lionel back. And I have no doubts about it. Lionel is hungry, a winner, a leader and also a footballer which is always decisive.” There is regular contact with Messi, Xavi acknowledges.
“Yes, I talk to him regularly and in those conversations I make it clear to him what role I envision,” said the Barcelona coach, who played with Messi for years. “Of course he has become a different player. What he can bring us? The decisive pass, assists, danger from set pieces, goals. What not really? He could bring us a lot. Of course it also depends on what he wants, but I do think Lionel is open to it,” said Xavi, who described Messi as “the best player in Barcelona’s history”.
“He can last for years at the very highest level. So there is no doubt that he can help Barcelona. Lionel can be used as a false number nine, as a wing attacker, as a midfielder. Where not? He understands the game. If he can bring what he brought to the World Cup, then he is an exceptional player, but the ball is now in his court.” Messi came to 778 duels in his first period at Barcelona, in which he scored 672 times and was responsible for 303 assists.
Barcelona has three top priorities this summer, it reported Mundo Deportivo recently. The Catalans submitted a feasibility plan – which deals with the club’s financial capabilities – to LaLiga at the end of April and if approved, Barça will register the contract extensions of Ronald Araújo and Gavi. Once that is done, Messi’s return will be the next top priority for Barcelona.