There was one transfer story that dominated the headlines in the summer of 2021. At the end of the 2020/21 season, Messi’s contract with Barcelona expired and due to the financial situation of the Catalan club, a new deal could not be signed.
A deal was on the table and both parties were happy but Barcelona could not afford to keep Messi and that led to him becoming a free agent. Messi confirmed he would be leaving the Camp Nou in an emotional press conference and he signed for Paris Saint-Germain.
Messi singed for PSG on a two year deal with the option for a third year and chose the number 30, which was his number when he made his senior debut for Barcelona. Clearly Barcelona was still in his mind even as he moved to a new club. Messi’s debut season in the French capital was disappointing from a personal perspective and he scored 11 goals and recorded 14 assists in all competitions.
Messi failed to reach double figures for goals scored in the league for the first time since the 2005/06 season, scoring only 6 goals despite playing 26 times in Ligue 1.
Things improved for Messi in 2022/23 and at the time of writing, the Argentine has played 23 times for PSG in Ligue 1 and has scored 13 goals. Messi also has 13 assists to his name in the French top flight and scored 4 goals in the Champions League.
The owners and fans were hoping Messi was going to be the missing piece in their desire to win the Champions League but he could not prevent PSG from losing to Bayern Munich in the round of 16.
Messi won football’s biggest price in December as he lifted the 2022 World Cup with Argentina to cement his name as one of the best players in the history of the sport. Having returned to PSG following the World Cup, there were rumours Messi left a training session early because he was unhappy with the methods of the manager but it has since emerged he was injured.
Nonetheless, there continues to be stories regarding the departure of Messi in the summer and a shock return to Barcelona could be on the cards.
If Messi and PSG decide not to trigger the one year extension to his deal, the World Cup winner will become a free agent. Barcelona vice-president, Rafael Yuste, has said the club have been in contact with Messi about a return to the club. Speaking about the player, Yuste said, “Messi knows how much we appreciate him. I would love for him to come back. We're in contact, of course, with them.”
Messi scored 672 goals in 778 games for Barcelona and is their all-time to scorer. It would be a fitting end to his career if he returned to Barcelona rather than moving to a club in a smaller league to see out his playing days. Does Messi have one more big season in him for his beloved Barcelona?