Xavi says a possible return to Barcelona for Lionel Messi ‘makes sense’

Barcelona manager Xavi has admitted a possible deal to bring back Lionel Messi to the club would make sense despite the La Liga champions undergoing a rebuild.

According to the gaffer, the Argentine international still has some years in him that could see him contribute immensely to his side should he make a return to Camp Nou.

Messi may have won the Ligue 1 title for Paris Saint-Germain in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Strasbourg, but his time in the French capital appears to be coming to an end. After being forced to leave Barcelona in the summer of 2021, the Catalan giants have been open to a stunning return. This is arguably best expressed by Barca’s manager and Messi’s former teammate Xavi, who believes the 35-year-old Argentine can carry his squad to the next level.

“Yes, it makes sense to me. As far as I’m concerned, which is on a footballing level, I’m in charge of football at this club. For me, there is no doubt that if Messi comes back he will help us on a footballing level. That’s what I’ve let the president know,” he said.

“I have no doubt, no doubt that he is going to help us because he is still a decisive player, because he is still hungry, because he is a winner, because he is a leader and because he is also a different player, different. We don’t have a Barca with the talent of 2010, for example. And what would Messi bring to you? He would bring you talent. Last pass, set pieces, goals… in the final third, a differential player.”

Since Messi’s departure from the club, they have won the La Liga just once beating Real Madrid to the title this season.