Paris Saint-Germain’s Lionel Messi to return to Barcelona as free agent next summer – report

Lionel Messi will return to his beloved Barcelona next summer, according to highly-respected journalist Veronica Brunati.

In a concise tweet, Brunati, who covers the Argentina national team, wrote: “July 1, 2023, Lionel Messi will be a Barca player.”

In 2021, Messi left Barcelona to sign for Paris Saint-Germain on a two-year contract, with his exit chiefly down to the financial difficulties the Catalan giants were facing.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has begun the 2022-23 campaign in splendid form, scoring seven goals in 12 club appearances across all competitions, helping to banish memories of a stuttering start to his career in France.

“On Leo – we will see. Let’s see,” Xavi told reporters ahead of Barcelona’s Champions League Group C fixture against Inter Milan on Tuesday night.

“I don’t think it’s the moment to talk about this. I love Leo a lot. He is my friend. I wish him the best. Barcelona is his home but I don’t think it is the moment to talk about Leo.

“I don’t think we are doing him a favour. He is happy and enjoying himself in Paris and I wish him all the best.”

Barcelona vice president Eduard Romeu said last week it would be viable to bring Messi back to the club on a financial level.

“It would be possible financially because if he returned, it would be as a free agent,” Romeu told Catalunya Radio.

“But it’s a decision which has to be made by the coaching staff and the player. It doesn’t correspond to me [to make those decisions], but it would be viable.”