Barcelona manager Xavi has stated that he would be open to Lionel Messi returning to the club, but that a deal is currently “impossible.”
Messi ended a 21-year association with the club last summer, leaving on a free transfer to Paris Saint-Germain after Barcelona was unable to renew his contract due to financial difficulties.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner had an injury-plagued first season in Paris, scoring just eleven goals in all competitions, his lowest total since the 2005-06 season.
The Catalan club’s president, Joan Laporta, recently stated that he would like Messi to return to Barcelona for a “more beautiful ending” to his career.
And while seemingly dismissing any immediate prospect of the Argentina captain returning to the club, Xavi did not rule out a potential reunion with his former team-mate.
“At the moment, signing Leo Messi is impossible,” Xavi, who was appointed Barcelona manager last November, said. “He has a contract with Paris [Saint-Germain].
“We will see in the future. It’s not the time to talk about him.”
Messi signed a two-year deal when joining PSG last summer, with the possibility of a further year’s extension.
