Unlike the Saudi club Al Hilal, which promises Lionel Messi an annual salary of 400 million euros, FC Barcelona cannot and does not want to risk any financial outliers in the planned return campaign of its ex-player. As the Spanish newspaper ‘El País’ reports, Messi does not even have the highest priority in the squad plans for the new season.
The contract extension with Alejandro Balde and the problematic working papers of Ronald Araújo (extension declared invalid) and Gavi (deregistered from the professional team by the league association) are higher on the to-do list. The „Operation Messi“ only come afterwards.
Contact with former companions
However, the comeback plans were initiated two months ago, according to ‘El País’ following Paris St. Germain’s round of 16 first leg against FC Bayern (0-1) in the Champions League. The day after, February 15, there was a meeting between the PSG board and Jorge Messi, La Pulga’s father and adviser, where he discussed Barcelona.
Coach Xavi, meanwhile, keeps in touch with Messi and the regularity of text and voice messages has increased lately. Barça pros Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, who dined with the Messi couple in Barcelona a few weeks ago, are said to have asked if Messi would return to the Camp Nou. Messi is said to have said nothing, but put on a wide, meaningful smile.
Barça director on Messi: “Doing our job”
