Last August, Lionel Messi's 21-year association with Barcelona came to an end, but Joan Laporta believes the Argentinean might end his career at Camp Nou.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta teased the intriguing notion that the Argentine great would return to finish his career with the club, underscoring the club's obsession with Lionel Messi.

Coming up on a year since Messi broke a 21-year relationship with a faltering Barcelona that could not afford to keep him, he emotionally left and joined Paris Saint-Germain.

The attacker left as the club's all-time leading scorer with 672 goals from 778 appearances after collecting every trophy possible with the Catalan giants. To put it in perspective, Cesar Rodriguez, who scored 232 goals for Barcelona, is listed second on the list of goal scorers.

On Thursday night, as Barcelona's US trip came to a conclusion, Laporta gave a speech in New York and discussed the possibility of Messi one day returning to the Blaugrana.

"Leo's phase did not come to an end as we had all hoped." It ultimately became heavily influenced by economic concerns, "Laporta stated." In this case, we owe him a moral debt. We want him to retire wearing the Barcelona jersey and to thunderous ovations at every stadium.

This represents a goal.

There is silence throughout.

I share some of the blame for this outcome.

I believe it to be a temporary goal, and I believe we can make this wish come true.

Due to Barca's financial predicament in August 2021, new agreements that complied with LaLiga's pay cap regulations could not be reached.

Messi's PSG contract has one more year left on it, taking him to the age of 36. However, that contract also gives him the option of staying in Paris for a third season.

Laporta may be appealing to those who hope for a Messi comeback in La Liga, but it is unclear whether his goals are achievable.

In order to increase their financial resources and prepare for the upcoming LaLiga season, Barcelona sold off a chunk of their future TV rights money. Once more, they are headed in the right direction, and Laporta will work to keep it that way.

Messi contributed directly to 937 goals for Barcelona. His most productive season was 2011–12, when he scored 73 goals across all competitions and provided 28 assists.

The 11 goals and 14 assists he managed in 34 games during his debut season with PSG are a glaring contrast to that.

A player who achieved astounding heights at the height of his career is beginning to see declining results.

Despite this, Laporta is adamant about getting Messi back on board, undoubtedly aware of the potential business opportunities and the impact such a coup would have on his presidency.

The more he says it, the more he will be held to his word by a fan base that was left in disbelief by the departure of the team's finest player.


@IMSMART 

    SIDIIQ