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LALIGA SANTANDER

Sergi Roberto: PSG star Lionel Messi is welcome back at Barcelona with open arms

After Barça’s Clásico win over Real Madrid, Roberto spoke about a possible return to Camp Nou for the Argentina captain.

After Barça’s Clásico win over Real Madrid, Roberto spoke about a possible return to Camp Nou for the Argentina captain.
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He had just been involved a crucial Clásico victory for Barcelona against Real Madrid but Sergi Roberto, one of the leaders in the Blaugrana dressing room, had Paris Saint-Germain superstar Lionel Messi on his mind in the aftermath of the game. “Who wouldn’t be ready for Leo to come back? We don’t want to talk about it too much because that’s something that the coach and the president have to decide... But as players, we would welcome him back with open arms”.

Messi whistled by PSG fans

The Spanish international was critical of the PSG fans who whistled the Argentine during their match against Rennes at the Parc des Princes at the weekend, the French club’s first home game following their Champions League elimination at the hands of Bayern Munich. “In the end, you can’t understand why. He’s having some good seasons in Paris and now they’re blaming him for them being knocked out. He is an incredible player and we’ll treat him the right way here if he comes”, Roberto told Jijantes.

Where will Messi play next season?

With just over three months to go until his PSG contract expires, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has not made any decisions about his future and speculation continues to grow. Sounds coming out of Messi’s camp in January suggested that a two-year contract extension would be signed imminently, but things have gone strangely quiet on that front in recent weeks. The Argentina captain has received lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia and MLS, but could be open to a sensational return to Barça if he prefers to continue competing at the very highest level.

Of course, Messi’s financial demands and Barça’s inflated wage bill, which they must cut by €200 million, don’t exactly appear to be compatible at the moment. But you just never know what’s around the corner in soccer and Barça president Joan Laporta, along with his board, have done their utmost in the media to keep the flame of hope burning.