Ever since the summer transfer window has opened, rumours of Lionel Messi making a return to Barcelona have been rife.
The Argentine left his beloved club Barcelona last summer due to the club’s disastrous financial situation and was snapped up for free by PSG.
Neither Messi nor Barcelona enjoyed the last season after their separation, with the winger finishing on just 10 goals and 14 assists for PSG and the Catalans having to play in the Europa League.
However, Barcelona’s economy is slowly making a comeback under Laporta who has been able to invest heavily in the team. As many as five signings have arrived at the club so far, and around £140 million has been spent.
Their next target now seems to be Leo Messi as the president has now revealed his ‘masterplan’ to bring back their legendary player.
“We have a strategy”: Laporta on bringing back Lionel Messi
The reports of Barcelona trying to engineer a move for Messi became intense after manager Xavi openly admit that he would like the forward to return.
“I would like Messi’s time at Barcelona not to have ended. If the question is whether I would like him to come back? The answer is a resounding yes!”, Xavi had said.
Further on, rumours of the manager reportedly asking Laporta to sign Messi in 2023 when his PSG contract expires have emerged.
Now the president has claimed about having readied a ‘plan’ to bring back their record goal-scorer back to Camp Nou.
While talking to CBSSports in an interview Laporta revealed, “I did what I had to do in order to put the institution above the best player in our history. I have known Messi since he was a kid and I love Leo. I feel in moral debt to Messi. He’s the best player in our history and I will do my best in order to ensure he can have the best ending of his career with a Barça shirt on.”
Laporta continued, “I would like to bring him back. It will not be easy but I think with the correct strategy we could do it. I think Messi has been the most important player in our history. During a long period of success he was the leader. He was the one who excited our supporters. We will do our best to have Messi ending his career at Barcelona and being applauded by everyone.”
The Barca president further added he feels ‘indebted’ to the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, who couldn’t continue at the club which he joined at 13 years of age.
“As I have said, we have a moral debt to Leo. The end of Leo at Barcelona was not the best. It was a difficult time. We had to take a decision and put the club above the best player in our history. But I think we have to work now to have Messi end his career back wearing the shirt of Barcelona being applauded on every field that he plays. We will do our best to give him the ending he deserves”, added Laporta.
“Again, I am telling you this is a wish we have and I hope we can convert it to reality. We have a strategy to get him back to Barcelona. Barça loves Leo, the fans love Leo and I love him, too. I will do my best.”
While Barcelona dream of his return, PSG are reportedly planning to extend Lionel Messi’s stay in Paris.