Barcelona vice president Eduard Romeu claims superstar Lionel Messi could return to the club next summer. His comments come just a couple of months since team president Joan Laporta said that Messi’s time with the club is “not over.”
The Argentina striker shocked many in the soccer world when he departed Spain for PSG last year. Although Messi seemingly had a contract agreement with Barca, financial issues inside the club blocked the deal.
Romeu spoke on Wednesday about Barca’s financial situation. However, it was his remarks on Messi that grabbed people’s attention. “It would be possible financially because if [Messi] returned, it would be as a free agent,” stated Romeu. “But it’s a decision which has to be made by the coaching staff and the player. It doesn’t correspond to me [to make those decisions], but it would be viable.”
Possibility of a Messi return to Barcelona
The financial problems within the club will apparently ease next summer. “Barca next summer will not have financial problems with the structure that we have set up,” continued Romeu. “Another thing is that we have established some ratios that must be followed.”
Romeu also talked about the concern with the club’s player wages. “With the wage bill, the problem is putting your hand in people’s wallets and that is very complicated. There are contracts signed and we do not breach them. However, 150 million euros have been reduced.”
These reductions could obviously help bring Messi back to Barca in 2023. The superstar was previously making a reported $168.5 million per year before moving to PSG. The Ligue 1 club is keen on keeping Messi and extending his contract a further year.
PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi has not been shy of his feelings towards Barca’s recent sale of commercial assets. “Is this fair? No, it’s not fair … Is it legal? I’m not sure,” stated al-Khelaifi on Wednesday. “If they allow them, others will do the same. UEFA of course have their own [financial] regulations. For sure they’re going to look at everything.”
The two massive teams could be in for a messy battle for the soccer superstar next summer.
PHOTO: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire
