November 5 – Lionel Messi says he wants to return to Barcelona, perhaps as technical director, after his contract with Paris Saint-Germain ends and he retires from playing.
Messi ended two decades at Barca last summer after the cash-strapped giants were unable to afford a new deal, despite the Argentine superstar agreeing to a 50% pay cut.
In an interview with Spanish outlet Sport, Messi, 34, said he is already targeting a return to his beloved Barca for when he hangs up his boots.
“What is almost confirmed … is that we are going to live in Barcelona again and that our life will be there,” said Messi, who is Barca’s record scorer with 672 goals and helped the club win 24 major trophies.
“It’s what my wife wants and what I want. I don’t know when my contract with PSG ends but we’ll go back to Barcelona to live.
“I always said that I would love to be able to help the club … I would love to be a technical director at some point. I don’t know if it will be at Barcelona or not.
“If there is a possibility, I would like to contribute again because it’s the club that I love and I would love for it to continue doing well, to continue growing and to continue being one of the best in the world.”
Barcelona have struggled since Messi left the Camp Nou and are ninth in La Liga, nine points behind leaders Real Sociedad, having won just four of their 11 league games so far. Last week their dire start resulted in coach Ronald Koeman getting the sack.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1714599635labto1714599635ofdlr1714599635owedi1714599635sni@w1714599635ahsra1714599635w.wer1714599635dna1714599635