It was a sad parting for Lionel Messi and Barcelona last summer after 21 years together. In tears, the Argentine went to Paris, but it is clear that the door of Camp Nou is not closed to him. Barcelona fans fantasize about the return of their favorite, and according to Mundo Deportivo, the second oldest sports newspaper in Europe after the Italian Gazeta dello Sport, Joan Laporta and his colleagues are working hard to find a formula to bring back the fantastic goalscorer.There are several solutions taken into consideration – the return of Messi as a player, as a director or ambassador of the club. The first one would cause the greatest resonance in the public and enable the Catalans to take numerous marketing-profitable actions, but it is probably the least feasible.##NAJAVA_MECA_6667745##With Messi turning 36 when his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires next summer (unless it is extended, of course), the question is how much he could contribute on the pitch and whether the Argentine’s return as a player would be worthwhile. (results-wise, not financial). Mundo reminds that in this case, Messi would have to agree to a significantly lower salary than he is used to, but also to a secondary role in the team under the command of his former captain Xavi. Since coming to the bench last winter, the former midfielder has started working on creating a new team, he managed to wake up and keep Ousmane Dembele, brought in Robert Lewandowski and created a team that has the potential to return Barcelona to the top of Spanish and European football. With Messi, the optimism in this matter would increase, because his return would significantly contribute to increasing the team’s self-confidence and instill fear among the rivals. The only question is where Xavi would ‘put’ him.The role of the “false nine” is no longer needed with the arrival of the Polish goalscorer in Barcelona. Acting on the right wing and entering the middle, which is one of Messi’s strongest weapons, would be limited again due to Lewandowski, whose task is to constantly be in front of the rival’s goal. Therefore, according to the Spanish newspaper, Messi in the new Barca would be most suited to the right central midfielder position in a 3-4-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation. And that, with at least one player next to him who would cover him in the defensive phase.Details of Messi’s contracts and goodbye with Barca – from a scholarship to abnormal bonusesThe return of Messi as a player would mean adapting the team to him and probably affect the playing time of the promising tandem Gavi – Pedri, marked as the future leaders of the club. That is why there are many more people at Camp Nou who would rather see the Argentine in the role of club ambassador, capable of contributing to the strengthening of Barcelona’s influence in the world of football with his very appearance. It would also be a preparation for a more serious position with greater responsibility, although Mundo Deportivo writes that, in the event that Messi ends his playing career, he would rather skip a step and take on the role of technical director.🚨🚨✅| JUST IN: FC Barcelona have started working on Leo Messi’s signing in 2023, the club believes that a financial agreement can be reached & he will agree to a ‘secondary’ role. The relationship with him is getting better & Xavi wants him to return.@ffpolo @RogerTorello [🎖️] pic.twitter.com/PSEg9Lppba— Managing Barça (@ManagingBarca) September 24, 2022 Be that as it may, the planning is well underway, reportedly Laporta has already had a phone conversation with Messi and taken the first step towards reconciling the once great friends after a not-so-friendly parting. At the time, the Argentinian claimed that he had done everything in his power to stay at the club, but the financial situation was such that it was not possible. Now Barcelona are on the road to recovery, money has been raised by selling a large chunk of brand rights and television deals, the playing staff is in the process of being reformed, and it’s up to the president to convince Messi to step into the Camp Nou again next summer. Whether in a jersey or a suit, it is still too early to say since PSG are also a factor, who would also like the best footballer of modern football to stay at Parc des Princes as long as possible and participate in the club’s future projects not only as a player.
