FC Barcelona have always been associated with Lionel Messi, and Lionel Messi always with FC Barcelona. It remains to date one of football’s most beautiful stories and even those who are not fans of the Blaugrana would admit so.
As more and more reports emerge and a possible return for Messi gains traction, those within FC Barcelona itself have also weighed their respective perspectives over their club hero’s return. Newer revelations suggest the contractual situation at Paris Saint-Germain is not going well with the Argentine not considerably keen on extending his stay with the Parisians. Thus, certain key figures have only added more hope and have beckoned for Messi to return.
01: Joan Laporta
Joan Laporta, current president of FC Barcelona, openly admits to his wishes of wanting Lionel Messi to return to the Catalan side. Their previous encounter ended on a rather sour note, with the president and player having to part ways in quite an unwanted fashion. Now, as the Barcelona president moves to correct past errors, despite knowing there will be financial difficulty to overcome, states that:
“Leo knows we have him in our hearts. He is part of our shield,” as well as reaffirming that Barcelona’s doors will always be open to the club legend.
02: Xavi Hernández
Xavi Hernandez has been instrumental in taking Barcelona from the depths of ruin to now the pinnacle of Spanish football once again. The manager was also asked to give his opinion on Messi’s return and how he would fit into the current dynamics of the team, and the manager took no time to proclaim as such:
“The best footballer in the world and in history would always fit in,” as well as suggesting just as Laporta did that Barcelona is the Argentine’s home.
03: Robert Lewandowski
Even Robert Lewandowski, who competed with Leo Messi for the 2021 Ballon d’Or and has never yet played with the Argentine, stated that having Messi would be a positive thing.
“I don’t know what will happen in the future, but playing with Messi is a dream for all forwards”.
04: Ter Stegen
The goalkeeper, who was also a part of the 2015 treble-winning side when MSN was present with Lionel Messi a central part of it, also had his say regarding his former captain and how his relationship with Barcelona is unique, stating:
“If he doesn’t come back, it will be bad because Messi has done great things here over the years and everyone is happy when they hear his name related to Barcelona.”
05: Ronald Araujo
The Uruguayan is also among those that openly admit to being in favor of Messi’s return, claiming it would even help them a lot, particularly in their Champions League pursuits:
“I would love for him to come back. It is his home. His return would help us a lot to try to win another Champions League. I hope it happens. We all want him by our side.”
06: Pedri
Pedri and Messi shared a special relationship on the field, and it was thanks to the latter’s tutelage that the young Canary Islander was able to win his Golden Boy award. The number 8 had the following to say regarding the Barcelona legend when asked about his potential return to the club:
“With Leo, I had a great time on the pitch and off it. He is a magnificent person, so hopefully, he can come back. It’s a joy to have him as a partner.”
07: Sergi Roberto
Current Barcelona captain and former teammate of Leo Messi, Sergi Roberto also reiterated the point made by Laporta and Xavi that Barca is Messi’s ‘home’, something that resonates across the dressing room. Stating that the players would want Leo back indefinitely, he said the following:
“The one who has to decide is him, the president, the coach, or whoever, but if it’s for the players, we’re waiting for him now.”
Players that have played side by side with Leo and even those who didn’t, coincided with the opinion that they would want Messi back at the club. As it stands, those within the club seem adamant about wanting him back. Now it remains all up to Leo, his decision, and the financial situation that the board will have to work around.
