Xavi says Lionel Messi is always welcome to a Barcelona return

Barcelona was in a tough position last season however, with the guidance of Ronald Koeman and the leadership of Lionel Messi, they managed to have a decent season, finished third in the table and even won the Copa del Rey. However, their start to the current season was quite horrible and the worst part was that Messi left the team after it was announced that they could not keep him while abiding by the new La Liga salary cap rules. Messi was their go-to player for goals and in his last season, he managed to score almost 40 goals in 45 appearances.

After the mercurial legend left the team, there was an instant lack of goals. The absence of his captaincy and his leadership was also felt and Barca seemed like a sinking ship for the first part of the season. However, Joan Laporta is a very competitive man and he would not allow the Blaugrana to sink. Thus, he sacked Koeman and brought in former legend Xavi Hernandez. It was a rocky start however, now they are unbeaten in 11 games and it seems as if the team is coming together. Now, although it seems like the team is finally learning to adapt without Messi, Xavi says that the player will always be welcomed at Barca.

Xavi says that Barcelona will always have its doors open for Lionel Messi

In a pre-match conference, the topic of a potential Messi return was brought up. The Argentine is not happy at his new club and there have been reports about him coming back. Xavi said,

"“[Messi] is the greatest of all time and he will always have the door open for him at Barca,”“As long as I am Barca’s coach, he is welcome any day. I think we owe him a big tribute.“I think that as he is under contract with PSG, there is not much we can say. But if he wants to he can come to watch training and speak to the coach. What he has given us is priceless.”_Source Goal"

The 34-year-old had a rather difficult start to life at PSG and it seemed as if the team was not really meant for him. The greatest of all time was brought into PSG to win them the coveted UEFA Champions League trophy but the team got knocked out in the Round of 16 against Real Madrid. This must have really rubbed the fans the wrong way since they heckled Messi and Neymar in the next game. All this must have been affecting the player and it was said that Jorge Messi, his agent, was talking to Barca for a potential return. However, those rumours were cleared and it seems like Messi will stay in Paris until his contract is up.

Do you think Lionel Messi will be back at Barcelona after he is done with PSG? Let us know in the comments down below.