FC Barcelona Vice President Confirms Talks With Lionel Messi To Return From Paris Saint Germain

FC Barcelona vice president Rafa Yuste has confirmed that the club has contacted Lionel Messi about a possible return to the club this summer.

Messi famously left Barca in tears in 2021. As a free agent, he walked to Paris Saint Germain and signed a two-year contract which expires on June 30.

The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner's deal at the Parc des Princes came with the option of an additional year that Messi has thus far been reluctant to take up.

Mundo Deportivo has reported on Friday that PSG are willing to offer Messi "more money and more years" than just the additional "plus one". On Thursday, French sports outlet L'Equipe reported that Messi currently takes home €3.375 million ($3.7 million) a month from the Ligue 1 giants, which puts him third behind teammates Neymar in second and leader Kylian Mbappe.

Around midday in Spain on Friday, however, Yuste made comments while holding a press conference for the Barca Academy World Cup which will send shockwaves through the football world and confirmed his club's interest in re-signing Messi.

"Leo [Messi] and his family know the affection I have for them. I participated in the negotiations that unfortunately did not lead to a successful conclusion," Yuste began, reminiscing about the Argentine's exit.

"I have the thorn in my side that Leo could not continue in our club. If we are talking about La Masia and grassroots football, we are talking about Messi.

"Of course I would love for him to come back, for what it could represent at a sporting, social and economic level. We are in contact with them, yes," Yuste confirmed.

That Barca have been in contact with Messi's camp should come as no surprise, but it is the first public confirmation of the Catalans working on his potential return.

Given their economic woes, the Blagurana cannot match Paris Saint Germain in terms of salary. But it has been reported by El Nacional that they will instead look to offer Messi a €200,000 ($217,600) yearly wage and then the proceeds from his farewell match and possibly merchandise that could bring in between €100-200 million ($108.8-217.6 million).