Lionel Messi Closer To Return To FC Barcelona, Who Can Recover Stadium Move Losses With Club Legend

Lionel Messi is edging closer to a return to FC Barcelona, who can make up for the losses they will incur in changing stadium next season by re-signing the club’s greatest ever player, according to reports.

Barca are set to lose some €93 million ($99 million) in 2023/2024 when they temporarily relocate to the Montjuic Stadium so that the Camp Nou can be reformed.

On top of this, they have already been warned to shed €200 million ($213 million) from the wage bill by La Liga president Javier Tebas.

Making an approach for Messi is therefore complicated, yet according to a report from El Nacional, president Joan Laporta believes that Barca can recover some of the losses they are set to make next term as Montjuic would be filled every home game if Messi dons Blaugrana again.

Messi is set to become a free agent on June 30 when his two-year deal at Paris Saint Germain expires.

After the Qatari-backed giants crashed out of the Champions League last 16 again, this time to Bayern Munich midweek, Messi is now believed to be heading towards the Parc des Princes exit door.

Furthermore, there have also been claims that Paris Saint Germain are considering withdrawing their offer of a contract renewal as the Ligue 1 champions’ fans would reject Messi and close friend Neymar playing for their club again in a new season.

Other possibilities that have been tabled for Messi to return to Catalonia include a reported “final offer” Laporta made his father and agent Jorge at a recent meeting.

It entails Messi receiving €200,000 ($213,000) annually and then the entire proceeds from his farewell match that it is expected could fetch in around €100 million ($106 million).

But Messi also has the option of venturing to the United States and joining Inter Miami, or possibly playing for Newell’s Old Boys in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina.

Messi will make an announcement on his future in the coming weeks, which is certain to send shockwaves through the football world on a similar scale to when he originally left Barca in tears on a free transfer in the summer of 2021.

Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomsanderson/2023/03/12/lionel-messi-closer-to-return-to-fc-barcelona-who-can-recover-stadium-move-losses-with-club-legendreports/