‘I Don’t Think Leo Will Play For Barca Again’

Lionel Messi’s father Jorge has ruled out a return to FC Barcelona for his son, saying: “I don’t think Leo will play for Barca again.”

A report from L’Equipe on Wednesday claimed that Messi had refused to renew his contract with Paris Saint Germain, which was signed when he left the Catalans on a free transfer in 2021.

The two-year deal that Messi penned at the Parc des Princes is set to expire on June 30, but Messi, through his father and agent Jorge, is said to have turned down the option of an additional season.

Messi is said to prioritize a move to the MLS where Inter Miami would likely be his next club, but he was also believed to be open to a return to FC Barcelona despite them not coming forward with any proposal.

Jorge Messi passed comment to local media on the matter just before he was about to catch a flight from Barcelona.

“I don’t think Leo will play for Barca again,” he said, as explained by SPORT.

“The conditions are not met,” he added, though it is unclear whether he was talking about Paris Saint Germain or Barca in this instance.

PSG have been reported as looking to reduce Messi’s yearly salary – believed to be around €30mn ($32mn) – in order to meet Financial Fair Play limits. This has allegedly led to Messi’s camp encouraging the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner to look elsewhere to continue his career.

“We have not spoken with Laporta and there is no offer,” Jorge Messi also remarked, in reference to Barca president Joan Laporta.

With Barca unlikely to be able to provide Messi with a salary to match his current PSG pay, and made to shave €200mn ($214mn) from their wage bill by La Liga, it seems that the Argentine is mostly likely heading to Miami to wind down a storied career.

Offers from his homeland and Saudi Arabia are said to be on the table, however. In the latter country, Al-Hilal are reportedly ready to offer him $350mn a year, which if true and accepted would put Messi in line to top Forbes’ list of the World’s Highest-Paid Soccer Players last headed by Kylian Mbappe in 2022.