Despite selling Neymar in the hope of finally breaking their Champions League hoodoo, Paris Saint-Germain’s failure in the competition for yet another season has brought heavy criticism down on Lionel Messi. Reports suggest that this could mean it is unlikely Messi will renew his contract with PSG and both Joan Laporta and Mateu Alemany of Barcelona are poised to take him back home. This would see the Argentine journying back after a two-year absence, potentially heralding the start of a new era at Barcelona where Messi may once again wield supremacy over La Liga. It remains to be seen whether Messi will make good on his promise to return home but if he does, it could be set to spark an entirely new chapter at one of Europe’s greatest powerhouse clubs.
Lionel Messi’s anticipated return to La Liga is causing ripples in the Camp Nou. Before his homecoming can take place, Barcelona must reduce their wage bill and make space in their squad. It is expected that Raphinha will be the first casualty of this move, with his struggles in recent matches being a major driving force behind it. Reports suggest that he has a strained relationship with Xavi Hernandez and this was manifested during an ill-fated game against Manchester United due to his lacklustre performance. This news is sure to shock fans around the world if it does come to fruition but it seems necessary for Messi’s plans to go ahead.
The prospect of Anssumane Fati leaving Barcelona could pave the way for Lionel Messi to reclaim his iconic number ’10’ jersey. At PSG, Messi wore number ’30’, but at Camp Nou he’s been linked with the famous number from his successes of the past. Meanwhile, Fati is said to be relocating for a fee of around €60 million – giving Barca an opportunity both to free up the jersey and recoup some much-needed funds. With both parties looking for a suitable outcome, this move seems like a strong option both for club and player alike.
Reports of a strained relationship between veteran striker Lionel Messi and younger teammate Ansu Fati dominated the headlines for a period of time during the pair’s time together at Barcelona. Many speculate that Messi’s past experience with being overshadowed by exceptionally talented young players on his team have resurfaced as Fati continues to rise in notoriety. El Nacional states that Messi was reportedly jealous of the amount of popularity Fati amassed amongst Barcelona fans, claiming it to be one of the biggest causes for disharmony between them. Additionally, changing representation to football superstar Jorge Mendes may have only exacerbated tension between the two. At any rate, it does not seem like their apparent feud will be resolved anytime soon given the situation.
