FC BARCELONA
RFEF President Luis Rubiales says Lionel Messi would be “welcomed back with open arms”
The President of the Spanish Football Federation talked about the possible return of Lionel Messi to FC Barcelona.
The huge pile of kindling, coal and firewood shaped like a certain Argentine footballer is growing by the day, with everyone from club presidents to league executives ready to fan the potential flames of Lionel Messi returning to FC Barcelona. The latest figure to douse the heap with petrol is Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales, who spoke about the potential return of Messi to league champions-elect, Barcelona.
The World Cup winner has spent the last two seasons at Paris Saint Germain where, apart from a Ligue 1 title and a French Super Cup, he has failed to ignite the side and lead them to the continental domination that their Qatari owners desire. Given the club’s failure to achieve new heights with the attacking triumvirate of said Argentine, Neymar and Mbappé, a trio that many said was going to be the best ever, Messi and PSG’s shared future together has been thrown up in the air.
‘We don’t know’ if Barça are negotiating for ‘unique’ Messi, say Rubiales
RFEF President Luis Rubiales was speaking at an event held by the Andorran Football Federation (FAF) in which he remembered the time he played against Messi in the Spanish first division. The 45-year-old from Las Palmas was playing for Levante when he came up against a 19-year-old Messi on the wing.
“I was lucky enough to play against Messi”, he said, “but I don’t know if it’s good or bad luck because I had the job of marking him; he’s unique, spectacular, fantastic.” The president then cut his eulogy short: “But in terms of his possible return, I’m not getting involved.” Shoulders dropped as Rubiales was coy when probed on the topic of Messi returning, initially saying that “everyone in Spain and all the followers of Spanish football want the best players to be in our league.” However, he did, as one might expect with Rubiales, allow a slight flicker of light from his gloomy, corporate response: “Mind you, it’s only a question for him or Barcelona who are the team negotiating... or not, because we don’t know.” You cheeky man, Luis.
“Whatever happens”, he summed up, closing the topic, “Messi is unique in the world and I will always wish him the best. If he comes back, he will be welcomed with open arms.”
