By Victor Kanayo
Argentine footballer Lionel Messi will return to Barcelona next summer after making ‘peace’ with the club’s president following his dramatic exit two years ago.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner joined PSG after Barca released a statement saying he would be leaving due to financial restrictions placed upon them by LaLiga.
However, Messi – who joined PSG in 2021- will reportedly return to Barcelona when his contract in the French capital expires next summer.
According to Argentine reporter Veronica Brunati, Messi will return to Barcelona on July 1, 2023 after just two years at Paris Saint-Germain
It is believed Messi will return to the club after ‘making peace’ with Barcelona president Joan Laporta – who was at the centre of the controversy two years ago.
Messi became a free agent in 2021 after his contract with Barca expired. However, he was set to re-sign with the club following positive initial talks between all parties.
However, Barca dropped a bombshell statement confirming Messi would be leaving due to economic and structural obstacles (Spanish LaLiga regulations).
Messi was said to be shocked by the announcement as he had agreed to take a 50 per cent pay deduction from his previous deal – which was worth in excess of £425million over four years – in order to stay at the club.
This would have meant that Messi’s earnings would have been slashed by £250,000 every week on the proposed new five-year contract.
However, he was happy to go ahead.
Messi – who was heart broken by the news of his departure – had been heavily linked with both Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain as a result.
PSG seemed like the more likely destination as Messi had met up with his former team-mate and close friend Neymar just days before Barcelona released their statement.
