PSG: Messi offered Paris exit by Newell's Old Boys

Newell’s Old Boys have once again opened the door for Leo Messi to return to his boyhood club in the case the Argentina captain decides to leave PSG this summer after a disappointing debut campaign in the French capital. Messi left Barcelona last summer due to the Camp Nou board being unable to afford him in line with LaLiga salary caps and the parlous state of the club’s finances, but the much-vaunted front line of the Argentinean, Neymar and Kylian Mbappé has failed to fire in the way many anticipated. PSG have the Ligue 1 title all but sewn up but fell short in the Champions League, losing to Real Madrid in the last 16, and were also knocked out of the Coupe de France at the same stage by Nice.

A Trophée de Champions defeat at the hands of Lille has left PSG with only the league to play for and despite a healthy lead over Marseille, Mauricio Pochettino’s side would have been expected to walk the domestic competition after heavy investment last summer. That PSG have been struggling despite possessing the reigning Ballon d’Or, Kylian Mbappé, who on form at the moment is arguably the best player in the world, and Neymar among a star-studded squad has led to speculation that Pochettino may well follow the France forward out the exit door this summer – Mbappé is almost certain to sign for Real Madrid, according to all accounts.

It also remains to be seen if Messi decides to see out his contract in Paris. A return to Barça is never far from anyone’s lips – and the recent agreement between Spotify and the Camp Nou board should go some way to restoring the Liga side’s spending power – but Xavi may prefer to look to the future than try to revisit past glories when the Spotify money starts to roll.

One club that would welcome Messi with open arms is his boyhood club Newell’s Old Boys. Messi is a lifelong fan of the club and, following the death of Diego Maradona, whipped off his Barça shirt to reveal a Newell’s strip in homage to the Argentina great. Messi has often spoken of his desire to return to Newell’s in a playing capacity at some stage to see out his career when he started and uncertainty over his PSG status has led Newell’s president Ignacio Astore to throw his hat into the ring again.

"It would be a double pleasure for me, as president of Newell's, to bring a player of his characteristics in, for him to wear the shirt so that his fans can see him as well. What I do know is that it depends on him, beyond any call that we can make. It depends on what he thinks, how he sees the city, the country, his family and his situation after the World Cup. He simply has to open the door to join Newell's."