Operation Bring Leo Back appears to be in full force at Barcelona.
On Friday, Barcelona vice president Rafa Yuste confirmed that the club is in talks with Lionel Messi over a return this summer.
Messi, who marked himself as one of the great players in the game’s history over 17 seasons with Barcelona, shockingly left in 2021 to sign with PSG as a free agent amid financial troubles with the Catalan side.
The World Cup-winner’s contract in Paris has now entered its final months, and Yuste has said that Barcelona is hoping the 35-year-old will make a sensational comeback to the Camp Nou.
“I am still gutted he couldn’t continue here,” Yuste said at a news conference. “Of course I would like him to come back, because of what he represents on a sporting, social and economic level.
“We are in contact with [Messi’s camp], yes. Beautiful stories should have happy endings, and there is a mutual love between the two parties.”
Yuste’s remarks come three months after widespread reports indicated Messi would renew his contract with PSG. Those talks appear to have hit a snag, while Inter Miami is also working to bring the Argentine to MLS.
Much like two years ago, Barcelona is still in a difficult financial situation. Yuste said that the club was working on a plan that would convince La Liga that it could afford to bring Messi back.
“We still have two months to work hard to present our revenue and sustainability plan to [La Liga president Javier] Tebas,” Yuste added.
“I don’t like to speak about Leo because he is a PSG player, but if all the conditions are met, we are open to the possibility. [Barcelona] president [Joan Laporta] has been with Leo’s father, and there is a good relationship.
“Of course, there is no plan to go on the attack because we don’t want PSG to see it like that. If it happens, it will be because destiny takes you back to where you have to go. If all the conditions come together and Leo comes back to Barcelona, it would be the perfect ending to a very happy story.”
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