Joan Laporta: blunt about the possible return of Leo Messi to FC Barcelona

Leo Messi's visit to Spotify Camp Nou on Sunday night sparked all sorts of rumors linking 'La Pulga' with a possible return to FC Barcelona. Although he recently renewed with Inter Miami, the winter break in Major League Soccer (MLS) allows its stars to negotiate loan spells with European clubs in the first half of the year.

However, this is not a scenario contemplated by Messi for now. Nor by a Barça that, looking ahead to the next transfer window, does not foresee making significant moves. In an interview for the program 'El Matí' on 'Catalunya Ràdio', president **Joan Laporta** was blunt when referring to rumors about a new chapter for Leo at the Blaugrana club.

While the Barça president reiterated his desire to pay tribute to 'La Pulga' once the team definitively returns to Spotify Camp Nou, he understands that "it is not realistic to talk about Leo Messi's return to Barça as a player".

Factors Driving Leo Messi Away from Barça

The reasons for the estrangement between Leo Messi and Barcelona are closely linked to sporting and financial matters. On the one hand, the Rosario native is currently focused on two objectives: helping Inter Miami win their first MLS Cup and arriving physically fit for the World Cup with Argentina.

The '10', now 38 years old, has faced some muscular problems in recent months and is clearly facing the final stretch of his legendary career. Barça, for its part, maintains a consolidated squad and system with Hansi Flick on the bench and no winter reinforcements are contemplated, unless the team suffers a significant injury loss for the rest of the season.

Financially, the club also has its priorities clear. Once the return to the Spotify Camp Nou and the consequent 1:1 in Financial Fair Play are resolved, the objective is to **resolve the pending renewals and update all the squad's contracts**.

Amortizing a contract of Leo Messi's proportions (10 million gross per year at Inter Miami) is feasible for Barça's economy at this time, even if it were a six-month loan. 

Joan Laporta clarifies Barça's plans with Leo Messi

What is clear to the Barça board is that the club and the Camp Nou will always have their doors open for the Argentine '10'. Joan Laporta described Leo's gesture of visiting the culé temple without prior notice as "a nice, spontaneous outburst and an act of Barcelonismo".

Likewise, he reiterated his desire to organize a tribute at the stadium for the '10', befitting his legacy at Can Barça and in world football. "We are working so that matches can be played here (at Camp Nou) and within this framework, I would like a tribute to be held for the greatest player in history. **I know he would also like it**," 'Jan' pointed out.

Finally, Laporta assured that the relationship with Messi and his entourage "is correct" and, for now, he has not communicated with him. He also insisted that 'The Flea's' departure in 2021 was "the best for the club" and, therefore, "he regrets nothing" because "Barça is above everyone"