Messi Reportedly Won’t Return To Barcelona If Pique Is There, Wants To Quit PSG

Even after football star Lionel Messi's shocking exit from Camp Nou in 2021, he has remained a hot topic at FC Barcelona.

As his contract at Paris Saint-Germain will be ending in months, many are expecting him to return to Catalonia, reported Barca News. There is no doubt that manager Xavi Hernandez would love to have Messi back at Camp Nou.

La Porteria journalist Marc Marba shared key updates on the prospects of Messi’s potential return to Barca. He suggested that Messi does not want to extend his contract at PSG and that this will be his last season at Parc des Princes.

As a PSG team member, the Argentine footballer had endured a difficult start to his life in Ligue 1. But he has found his footing in the ongoing season. He was involved in 14 goals in 11 competitive matches. Despite his return to form, he does not want to continue at PSG beyond 2023, according to Marba. The journalist also suggested that Messi will not return to Camp Nou if fellow footballer Gerard Pique is still a part of the team.

The two footballers' relationship had deteriorated massively during the last stages of Messi's spell at Barcelona. Various reports suggested that the two were not even on talking terms at one point. So, Pique’s departure could be critical if Barcelona decides to bring back Messi next summer.

There are also reports of him potentially joining Atletico Madrid in January. But Barca might take a decision on his future only after the end of the season.

Meanwhile, The Sun reported that Messi has so far had no offers from any club. It remains unclear where he will be playing football in the 2023-24 season. There are suggestions that PSG wants to offer him a one-year extension, but the French giant is yet to approach him with that deal.

The 35-year-old has not been sent any contracts from elsewhere, so it would make him a free agent again in nine months. He had joined PSG on a free transfer. Then he formed a deadly strike force with fellow footballers Neymar and Kylian Mbappe. Messi left Barcelona when his contract expired last year and the club could not afford to offer him a fresh deal.