By John Essien
Barcelona President Joan Laporta has hinted that Lionel Messi could make a sensational return to the club in the future.
Messi, 35, was forced to leave Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain last summer, with the Catalan club unable to renew his contract due to their ongoing financial difficulties.
The Argentine’s departure brought an end an incredible 20-year spell at the Nou Camp having joined Barcelona as a 13-year-old back in 2001.
Since moving to Paris, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has struggled to produce his best form and only managed six goals in Ligue 1 in his debut season.
Messi has continually been linked with a return to the Catalonians, with club President Laporta also suggesting he would like to bring him back to the club.
“Messi has been everything, for Barca he has possibly been the best player in history, the most efficient, only comparable to Johan Cruyff in the history of Barca,” Laporta told ESPN.
“But it had to happen one day, we had to make a decision as a consequence of the legacy [financial trouble] we had received [from predecessor Josep Maria Bartomeu].
“The institution is above players and coaches, but I think, I wish, that the Messi chapter is not over yet at Barca and I think our responsibility is to ensure that this open chapter, which has not yet been closed, has a good moment in which it can be done as it should have been done and, in addition, has a much more splendid ending than it had,” he added.
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