Lionel Messi’s brother Jorge has revealed that a move to Barcelona may be in fact still on the cards, despite reports claiming that the Argentine was set to join Saudi Arabia side Al-Hilal in the coming days.
Al Hilal are reportedly ready to ‘offer him 400 million euros per season’ to leave Europe behind, which would make him the highest paid player in football history, and were hopeful that they ccould announce the signing of the Argentine as soon as Tuesday 6th June.
However, just 24 hours before that proposed date, Messi’s entourage were spotted in talks with Joan Laporta amid ongoing speculation that a return to the Camp Nou could still be possible, despite Barcelona’s own financial issues.
💣💣EXCLUSIVA💣💣
Ahora mismo, reunión en casa de JOAN LAPORTA entre el presidente del Barça y JORGE MESSI para tratar el posible regreso del jugador argentino. pic.twitter.com/dYVu16QTz8
— Toni Juanmartí (@tjuanmarti) June 5, 2023
Quizzed on those links on his way out, Jorge Messi, who has previously denied agreements with any club, revealed that the Catalan giants could still be an option, and that Messi would favour a return there.
“Leo wants to return to Barcelona and I’d love to see him back to Barça”, he told reporters after being spotted with the Barcelona president.
“Barça move is an option for sure”, he added.
“I’d really like Leo to come back, he knows that and I’ve already spoken to him,” he said ahead of their clash with Celta Vigo. “It depends a bit on him. I am expectant and I would be especially excited if he came back.”
“Wherever he has gone, things have gone well for him. He could help us in many ways, but it’s more his decision and I would understand any scenario. As a Culé I would also like him back very much.”
Messi joined Barcelona aged 13 and is their record scorer with 672 goals across a 21-year stint with the club, during which time he helped them win 21 major trophies and was awarded a record six ballon D’ors.
