Media reports in Catalonia revealed that Barcelona legend Lionel Messi and Paris Saint-Germain player will leave his current club at the end of the current season, but his return to his former club is in doubt if his former colleague Gerard Pique remains in the team.
Messi left Barcelona in the summer of last year after 17 years in its ranks after the two parties failed to reach an agreement to extend the contract due to the financial fair play restrictions imposed by the Spanish League, which called him to move to Paris Saint-Germain with a contract that expires at the end of the current season.
The news of Messi’s return to Barcelona has flared since last summer, as club president Joan Laporta publicly stated his desire for Messi to return to his childhood club and retire there, while coach Xavi Hernandez welcomed the return of the greatest player in the history of the Catalan club.
Marca Marpa, a journalist for the Catalan channel “Betifi”, confirmed on the famous “La Portera” program that Messi will not extend his contract with Paris Saint-Germain after its end.
Marpa continued: Messi will not continue at the Princes Park after the current season, as he has many options, but his return to Barcelona is not one of them if Gerard Pique continues in the team.
Messi and Pique played together in the “La Masia” academy and the first team from 2008 to 2021, as they were among the elements of the historic Barcelona team, which achieved the hexagon in 2009 in addition to several different championships.
The relationship between the players witnessed a clear tension during Messi’s recent period with the club, as press reports revealed in 2021 that Pique was described as a traitor because he agreed to reduce his salary with Barcelona after his departure, and this proved the farewell dinner that Lionel set up for the rest of his colleagues and Gerrard missed him, while the latter is accused of asking From Laporta Messi’s departure and rebuilding the team again.
Pique is not currently living in his best condition with Barcelona, as he is considered the fifth option in the defense line, and President Joan Laporta wants him to leave the club at the end of the season, while the club’s management is considering canceling his contract if he does not play 35% of the matches this season.