FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández wants to support the return of Argentinian world champion Lionel Messi.
“I’ll talk to him,” said the coach of the Spanish soccer champions in an interview with “Sport”. “There is absolutely no doubt. If Messi came back it would help our football a lot. I also told the president (of FC Barcelona, Joan Laporta) that.”
Asked if Barcelona would change their game tactics for Messi, Xavi said: “No, it would be the same idea, the same model. Messi could play in many different positions at Barca.” But the decision to return depends solely on Messi. “He still has years at a high level ahead of him,” said Xavi confidently.
Messi’s contract expires in summer
At the same time, he paid tribute to the performance of the team that had already secured the Spanish championship title early on. “This title has special meaning because we won it without the best footballer at this club and in the world,” said Xavi.
Two years ago, heavily indebted FC Barcelona simply could not afford Messi anymore. In tears, he said goodbye to the club of his life after 21 years to move to Paris Saint-Germain. His contract there expires at the end of the season. The 35-year-old is not only associated with Barça, but also with an engagement in Saudi Arabia.