The father of seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi has, on Thursday, provided an update on his son’s future at club level.
Veteran attacker Messi’s plans beyond the summer have of course long remained unclear, ahead of the expiration of his two-year contract in France’s capital.
Paris Saint-Germain, for their part, are known to be keen to lock Messi down for at least one more season, as the Argentine continues to prove himself one of world football’s finest, even at the age of 35.
In turn, speaking to the media on Thursday, it came as little surprise when the subject of his son’s future was put to Jorge, Messi’s agent and father.
To this point, a whole host of clubs have been tipped as potential landing spots for the Argentine, from MLS outfit Inter Miami to Premier League champions Manchester City.
Toulouse vs Paris St Germain – Stadium Municipal de Toulouse, Toulouse, France – August 31, 2022. Paris St Germain’s Lionel Messi before the match. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe (Alamy Stock Photo)
One destination which already appears to have been all but ruled out, however, comes in the form of Barcelona.
The aforementioned Jorge Messi, however, this evening confirmed that:
“I don’t think Leo will return to Barcelona – the conditions are not met.”
“We didn’t speak with president Joan Laporta — there’s not even a proposal from Barcelona”.
He continued:
“Impossible? No idea, I don’t know if it’s gonna be impossible. We didn’t even speak with Laporta, stop. Leo’s under contract with PSG”.
More from Jorge Messi after “I don’t think Leo will return to Barça” 🚨⤵️🇦🇷 #FCB
“Impossible? No idea, I don’t know if it’s gonna be impossible. We didn’t even speak with Laporta, stop. Leo’s under contract with PSG”.
➕ Meeting between Messi’s camp & PSG took place yesterday. pic.twitter.com/prV06MVcCa
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 16, 2023