If Lionel Messi returned to Camp Nou, Barcelona star Sergio Busquets would relinquish the captain's armband.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi left the Blaugrana in a sensational free transfer to Paris Saint-Germain last August, with a financially crippled Barcelona unable to meet the terms of a new contract that had been agreed upon.
The 34-year-old has yet to reach the lofty heights in Ligue 1 that he did for much of his remarkable career, scoring just seven goals in all competitions for Mauricio Pochettino's side.
The Blaugrana legend has been linked with a move away from PSG – who may also lose Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid – at the end of the season, and Barcelona head coach Xavi has stated that the door is always open for Messi's return.
Busquets, Xavi's former teammate, echoed Xavi's sentiments, expressing his desire for the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner to return to Spain.
"Of course, I think about him. "On and off the field," Busquets said of Messi in an interview with the Spanish radio station RAC1. "No one else has given us what he has given us." He made a significant contribution.
"It's natural to miss him after so many years. I'm sure he'll miss me as well."
He continued, saying: "It was difficult at first [after Messi left]. It came as a surprise to us as well. We're still here, but imagine it for him: a new city, a new team, a new look.
"You're not happy if you don't win. I wish him the best of luck. I'd like Leo to return, but I understand how difficult that will be. He has a contract with another team, which is complicated by the way he left us.
"Imagine me as his friend and teammate if Xavi told him that the doors are open. I'd hand him the armband. He has my undying admiration and respect."
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