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Joan Laporta started the whole thing, fueling the sport with the rumor about coach Xavi Hernandez’s alleged desire to ask Barcelona to bring Lionel Messi back in 2023.
“Messi is the best footballer in the world and in history,” Xavi said of his former team-mate at a press conference. Laporta has already stated that “Messi’s story with Barça is not over, but this is not the time to talk about it,” Xavi insisted. A return is currently “impossible”.
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Messi left Barça last summer after more than 20 years at the club. The financially badly damaged Blaugrana could no longer afford to extend his contract.
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After his emotional farewell, Messi surprisingly joined Paris Saint-Germain. His contract there expires in less than a year. PSG want to extend the 35-year-old’s contract as soon as possible.
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