‘Barcelona and Messi deserve one last dance’ – Barca chief opens door to return

BARCELONA are once again talking up the possibility of Lionel Messi returning to the club.

The Argentine legend, 35, left the Catalan giants in 2021 in an emotional farewell that came about due to the club’s financial crisis.

1

It was clear Messi did not want to leave but in the end he was forced to do so.

And he subsequently signed a two-year deal with Paris Saint-Germain.

After a difficult first campaign with the French side, Messi has begun rediscover some of his best form this season.

He contributed 12 goals and 14 assists in 19 games for Christophe Galter’s men before the World Cup break.

And he has hit the back of the net in both of Argentina’s group games so far in Qatar – including a brilliant strike to break the deadlock against Mexico.

Now Barcelona director Jordi Cruyff has revealed he believes there is a way back to the Nou Camp for the South American genius.

Speaking to RAC1, he said: “Barca and Messi have to be together again one day. This is clear.

“Maybe [it] could be after the end of his professional career.

HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON THE WORLD CUP

“But Barca and Messi deserve one last hug, [one] last dance together.”

Messi is Barcelona’s all-time top appearance maker with 778 games – 11 more than current manager Xavi.

And he is far and away the club’s all-time top scorer, netting 672 times for the Spanish outfit – 440 more than previous record holder Cesar Rodriguez.

As well as a return to Barca, Messi has also been linked with a move to Inter Miami.

His old team-mate Sergio Busquets is expected to join David Beckham’s MLS franchise in the summer and Messi could yet follow suit.