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Former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola has expressed his hope that Lionel Messi will return to Barcelona to receive the send-off that he deserves.
Following his suspension for traveling to Saudi Arabia, Messi’s future at Qatari-owned PSG has been the subject of much speculation over the past week.
French media reported on Tuesday that a move to a Saudi club was a done deal, and that the Argentine captain was finalizing details prior to signing a contract.
Messi’s father, on the other hand, has denied that any agreement had been reached with another team and stated that a decision would not be made until the conclusion of the current season.
Guardiola: ‘Messi ‘Deserves’ Barcelona Send Off’
Current Man City boss Guardiola has now asserted that the 35-year-old will likely do everything possible to return to the Nou Camp and reunite with his old club.
“I’m a Barcelona fan, I’ve got my tickets [at Camp Nou], and I just hope that one day we can say goodbye to him as he deserves,” The Premier League manager told ESPN, “He’s the greatest player of all time.”
“In the last 12 years or so, Barcelona had a ‘boom’ and that wouldn’t have been possible without him,” Guardiola continued, “And I’m not talking about numbers, but rather his involvement in the play, his beauty, his efficiency, everything.”
“I hope the day comes when I’m in my seat [at Camp Nou] and I can stand up and applaud, and say goodbye to Leo as he deserves,” the Spaniard said.
Guardiola, who managed Messi at Barcelona. then gave some insight into how he feels that the Argentine maestro could return to Barcelona.
“I know that Joan [Laporta] is going to try, and Leo too, and he and his family will receive all the love that Barcelona fans have for him, with all the gratitude and respect for what he did for the club,” he explained.
Messi Likely To Join Saudi Side Despite Intentions of Barcelona
Messi returned to training with PSG on Monday, one week after apologizing to his current club and his teammates for missing training
According to a source close to Messi, he has received a formal offer to join Saudi club Al-Hilal for the upcoming season, and a contract extension with PSG is unlikely for the recently crowned World Cup champion.
Messi, who will turn 36 next month, was designated a tourism ambassador by the oil-rich Saudi Arabia last year, and he visited the capital Jeddah in May 2022.
In January, he returned to play an exhibition match with PSG against a Saudi All-Stars squad that included Cristiano Ronaldo.
If he were to join Al-Hilal, Messi could face off with Al-Nassr’s Ronaldo on a regular basis over the next season, as both superstars will be playing in the Saudi Pro League.
The Argentine star is likely to receive a huge sum of money, similar to Ronaldo, for coming to play in Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, Barcelona have been told that they must reduce their spending by 200 million euros if they are to comply with regulations.
To bring Messi back, Barca will likely have to see off several of their squad members to make way for the Argentine’s wages.
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