Barcelona chief Joan Laporta opens door to Lionel Messi return with forward on brink of PSG transfer after tearful exit
BARCELONA chief Joan Laporta has opened the door for a Lionel Messi return.
The legendary Argentine officially left Barca on Thursday after LaLiga's salary cap dashed any chance of tying him down to a new deal.
But the two parties parted on good terms, with club president Laporta leaving the door open for a potential return in the future despite a move to Paris Saint-Germain believed to be imminent.
On Twitter, Laporta said: "I wish you Messi, and your family, all the best.
"The doors at Barca will always be open for you. Thank you for everything, Leo!"
Messi was willing to take a 50 per cent pay cut to stay at Barca, but even if that deal was to go through, the club would still be over the allocated salary cap.
In his emotional farewell press conference at the Camp Nou on Sunday, Messi confirmed he was willing to halve his wages.
He said: “I offered to reduce my salary by 50 per cent, but they didn’t ask me for anything else.
"The news I asked for 30 per cent more is a lie, a lot of things people are saying are not true.”
With Messi's Barca fairytale over, he will reportedly set off on a new adventure in France with PSG.
The Ligue 1 giants were even reported to be planning a grand unveiling at the Eiffel Tower on Monday.
I offered to reduce my salary by 50 per cent, but they didn’t ask me for anything else.
But in the latest twist, a law firm representing Barcelona partners has prepared a complaint with the European Commission to try and BLOCK Messi's move.
The law firm claim that PSG's Financial Fair Play situation is worse than Barca's.
Therefore, they shouldn't be able to sign the 34-year-old – who won 35 trophies at Barca – this summer.
Juan Branco confirmed the filing on Twitter alongside a letter.
He said: "On behalf of FC Barcelona partners, my firm has prepared a complaint with the European Commission and demands for provisional suspension before civil and administrative courts in France to prevent Paris-Saint Germain from signing Lionel Messi.
"PSG's ratios in terms of 'Financial Fair Play' are worse than those of FC Barcelona.
PSG's ratios in terms of 'Financial Fair Play' are worse than those of FC Barcelona.
"In 2019-2020, PSG's salary-to-income ratio was 99%, while Barcelona's was 54%. Meanwhile, the difference has increased.
"It is inconceivable that the 'Financial Fair Play' serves to aggravate the drifts of football-business, the instrumentalization of football by sovereign powers, and the distortion of competitions."
Messi leaves Barca with an untouchable legacy; 35 trophies, 40 individual honours, 672 goals and an incredible 305 assists.
PREMIER WIN! Get crazy 20/1 odds on Salah scoring ONE goal in August
DREAM TEAM 2021/22
PLAY DREAM TEAM FOR THE 2021/22 SEASON
- £100,000 prize pot up for grabs
- £50million budget to build your best XI
- Play in Mini Leagues against your mates, colleagues, etc
- Click here to play for FREE
- Dream Team app available through Apple Store and Google Play Store
And hinted that PSG could be his next destination.
He said: "It is a possibility, but as of today there is nothing agreed with anyone.
"When the statement came out, I had many calls, various clubs were interested. But I have nothing closed yet. But we are talking.”
⚽ Read our Transfer news live blog for the very latest rumours, gossip and done deals
Source: Read Full Article