Lionel Messi plans to hold further talks with MLS club Inter Miami after ‘ignoring phone calls’ from Barcelona – who want him to return the Camp Nou.
Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain on a two-year contract a year ago from Barca as a free agent. The sensational move played out after the Catalan giants were unable to register the Argentine superstar with a new contract due to strict Financial Fair Play compliance laws by La Liga. His contract at PSG will expire this summer.
It is claimed that Barcelona president Joan Laporta has made attempts to make contact with the Argentine through intermediary’s phone calls but Messi has shown no interest in answering. Laporta’s attempts to meet the star during his recent trip to Paris for the Ballon d’Or awards was also unsuccessful.
The 35-year-old believes that he was misled by Laporta and Barca’s board throughout the summer with the relationship never healing between the parties since. Messi’s return next year remains a priority for the Blaugrana but the player is refusing to speak to them regarding the possibility.
Messi is out of contract at the Parc des Princes this coming summer and is theoretically free to speak with other clubs from 1 January due to his contractual situation. PSG remain keen to extend his contract, with the knowledge that Barcelona may be planning an ambitious return.
A report in The Athletic details how multiple talks have already taken place with Inter Miami and Messi’s father, Jorge. The MLS outfit’s co-owners – alongside David Beckham – Jorge and Jose Mas are said to be leading the negotiating process with the Argentine superstar’s dad.
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The 35-year-old has been on fire in front of goal this campaign for Les Parisiens and has already netted 11 goals across all competitions this season. That means he has already equalled his tally in his debut season in Paris, as he appears to have rediscovered his top form in the French capital.
His exit from the Camp Nou before the start of last season coincided with the club enduring a trophyless campaign. They tumbled out of the Champions League in the group stages, exited the Copa del Rey at the quarter-final stage and finished a distant second to Real Madrid in La Liga.
Barcelona fans chanted the name of Messi during their Champions League elimination earlier this months – showing the fans desire to see his return to the Camp Nou. The club invested heavily this year in transfers including Robert Lewandowski, Ferran Torres, Jules Kounde and Raphinha – but have tumbled out of the group stage in European football’s premier club competition for the second successive campaign.
