Gerard Pique is said to have persuaded FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta to part with Lionel Messi in the summer of 2021, causing a rift between the Argentine player and the Catalan club.
Despite Messi expressing his desire to remain at Camp Nou and a verbal agreement being in place for his contract extension, Barcelona chose not to prolong Messi's contract, citing LaLiga's stringent Financial Fair Play rules and the club's financial crisis. Laporta, however, neglected to inform Messi of this decision until the last moment, leaving the Barcelona icon devastated. After tearfully bidding farewell to his boyhood club, Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) as a free agent on a two-year contract.
According to The Athletic, Pique, who had played over 500 competitive games alongside Messi for Barcelona, was instrumental in convincing Laporta that Messi's departure could allow the club to start anew without their record scorer and appearance holder.
Although Messi's first season in Paris was underwhelming, he has rebounded in the 2022-23 campaign, notching 19 goals and 20 assists. Despite settling into his new life in Paris, his future at Parc des Princes remains uncertain as contract negotiations have stalled. If an extension is not agreed upon, Messi will become a free agent at the end of this season.
Rumors are swirling about a possible return to Camp Nou for the former Barcelona captain in the coming summer. Messi's current situation at PSG, where fans have jeered him at recent home games, and the stalling of contract renewal talks may work in Barcelona's favor. In addition to the offer from Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, Inter Miami of Major League Soccer (MLS) has held discussions with Messi. However, the Argentine forward has decided to remain in Europe for the time being.
Pique's retirement earlier this season has bolstered the likelihood of Messi's return, as sources indicate it would have been "very complicated" for him to return if Pique was still on the team. Additionally, Messi's desire to have Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba by his side is believed to be a factor.
Despite ongoing conversations between Messi's father and Laporta, Barcelona has not made a formal offer for the summer, reports Marca.
Barcelona is eager to bring Messi back to Camp Nou, but financial constraints and compliance with La Liga's financial regulations make his return improbable at this time. A source close to Barcelona told The Athletic, "Messi is still a long way from being close, and saying anything else wouldn't be true. Right now, Barcelona's problem is the salary limit. The narrative about Messi is a hope that the club has, but it does not come from any rational place."
Laporta's recent meeting with Messi's father and agent, Jorge, was an attempt to express his desire for Messi to conclude his European career at Barcelona. However, Messi has reportedly avoided phone calls from a negotiator close to Laporta and did not meet with the Barcelona president during his visit to the Ballon d'Or awards in Paris in October.
