Lionel Messi is pushing for a return to FC Barcelona in the Spanish Primera Liga after Saudi Arabia’s ‘oil money’ offensive. It is a different choice from Cristiano Ronaldo, who chose Saudi Arabia’s Al Nasr, who terminated his contract with Manchester United and offered ‘oil money’.
On the 19th (Korean time), French media Foot Mercato reported that Messi is strongly considering returning to Barcelona.
Messi is three months away from the expiration of his contract with Paris Saint-Germain.
It is known that Paris Saint-Germain offered a renewal contract, but an agreement has not been reached. Local media reported that there is a large difference in opinion between Messi and Paris Saint-Germain in terms of salary and contract period.
Transfer rumors arose with the news that Messi is having difficulties renewing his contract with Paris Saint-Germain. American Major League Soccer and Saudi Arabia came to mind as destinations. In particular, it is known that Al Hilal, a club in Saudi Arabia, is seeking to recruit Messi for 194 million pounds (approximately 308.6 billion won). Messi’s father, Jorge Messi, who works as Messi’s agent, was caught in Saudi Arabia, raising rumors of a transfer to Saudi Arabia. 스포츠토토
Returning to Barcelona was not an option for Messi. Barcelona president Juan Laporta has openly expressed his desire to bring back Messi. Laporta, who was elected as Barcelona president again in 2021 following Josef Bartomeu, renewed the contract with Messi as a promise at the time of the election, but failed to renew the contract because he could not overcome the salary cap problem. Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez also said, “Messi If you want to come back, I will leave the door open.”
Seizing the opportunity for Messi’s return, Barcelona plans to resolve the current financial difficulties and create space for Messi.
Transfer market expert reporter Fabrizio Romano said, “Whether or not Messi stays in Paris depends on how Messi participates in future projects.”