Lionel Messi’s long-time Barcelona teammate Dani Alves has opened the door for him to return to Camp Nou, less than a year after he joined Paris Saint-Germain
The Argentine’s decision to swap Catalunya for the French capital sent shockwaves through world football, with many assuming that his arrival would ensure PSG became unbeatable. But while their domestic season has been little more than a procession to the Ligue 1 title, their European campaign ended in familiar ignominy.
PSG were dumped out of the Champions League last week, losing 3-2 on aggregate to Real Madrid, despite holding a two-goal lead going into the closing stages. Kylian Mbappe scored in either leg to put the Parisians in complete control, before Karim Benzema sparked an almighty collapse which saw him net a memorable hat-trick.
The fall-out from the infamous capitulation is likely to see Mauricio Pochettino lose his position as head coach, while a raft of departures could yet be sanctioned. Messi signed a two-year deal upon his arrival at the Parc des Princes, but it hasn’t gone to plan and he was roundly booed by his own supporters last week.
During the home win over Bordeaux, Messi and fellow South American Neymar, were jeered by the home crowd, with the latter even booed following his goal. Messi cut an understandably frustrated figure, leading to some speculation he could cut his time in France short.
The 34-year-old’s father and agent Jorge Messi has reportedly made contact with Barcelona to gauge whether there would be any mutual interest in bringing him back to the club. Messi left the Blaugrana as their record appearance holder and goalscorer, but was unable to sign a new contract due to LaLiga’s economic regulations.
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But Alves, who has played alongside Messi 349 times during their time at the Camp Nou has revealed his old pal isn’t enjoying himself with his current team, claiming he is “out of place” and away from the team which allowed him to flourish to an historic extent.
“For me, no, he is not enjoying himself at PSG, because Leo makes this game special, and he does it when he is having a good time, because when he is having a good time, the others enjoy it," Alves told ESPN. “For me it is out of place, right now Leo is out of place there. Because Leo for me lived in the best place in the world to practice what he loves."
Alves made the decision to leave Barcelona in 2016, first joining Juventus, before spending time with PSG and Sao Paulo back in Brazil. But he returned to Barca late last year and has opened up on communications he held with Messi and how those words could influence another sensational comeback.
“Leo always told me, ‘where are you going to be better than here?’ I checked, there is no better place than here. Even when it came out that he was leaving, I sent him the same message that he told me," the Brazilian added.
“For whatever reason he is not here and I hope he can come back. I don't know, but if he comes, let him come here with me, to enjoy at least a little more of all that.
“All the people who leave here regret it, everyone. Some will say no, because they don't like to lose, but all the people who leave regret it, because it's better here than anywhere."
