LaLiga Champions Barcelona have started contract negotiations with Lionel Messi with the hope that the Argentine would make a sensational return to the club in 2023.
According to the station’s El Club de la Mitjanit programme, club president Joan Laporta has already started discussions with Messi’s representatives, which is led by his father and agent Jorge Messi.
As things stand, Messi’s contract at Paris Saint Germain (PSG) will expire in June 2023. There is however an option for the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner to extend his contract by 12 months if he wishes to do so.
It has been reported that Messi could be tempted to return to Barcelona and spend the last years of his stellar career at the club where he made his name.
Messi joined the club’s world-famous academy, La Masia when he was just a teenager.
Laporta was speaking to CBS Sports and was quizzed about Messi’s move to PSG.
He said: “I did what I had to do in order to put the institution above the best player in history. I’ve known Messi since he was a kid, I love Leo.
“I feel a moral debt to the best player in history. I’ll do my best to make sure Messi has the best ending of his career with Barcelona.
“I would like to do it. It will not be easy but I think that with the correct strategy we could do it. We will do our best to have Messi end his career with Barcelona.”