A year ago
The Paris Saint-Germain forward is on board with Lionel Messi's prospective return to Barcelona, where he would play in a new position.
Messi's future is uncertain right now because his PSG contract is slated to expire at the end of the current campaign, though an extension is possible.
Due to probable FFP difficulties, the club does need to make some financial cuts, but if Messi wanted to stay, it is likely that they would let him stay.
The idea of moving to Saudi Arabia and Inter Miami supposedly being willing to grant him shares in the club in exchange for a move to the MLS provide him further options.
Just two years after being compelled to quit the team after 18 years at the Nou Camp due to financial difficulties, there may also be an emotional homecoming to Barcelona.
As they haven't yet approached the forward, any deal for the World Cup winner would still be challenging and involve some interesting talks.
Even so, Xavi is already preparing his team's lineup for when the 35-year-old returns to the Catalan giants and has chosen to start him in midfield.
According to Spanish writer Guillem Balague of BBC Sport, Messi appears to be on board with the strategy as well "Leo and [Barcelona president Joan] Laporta have not yet spoken, but it is clear that Barcelona continues to promote the notion that they will pursue it.
"The biggest driver is manager Xavi, who speaks to Messi frequently and makes it extremely apparent to him that the squad needs his talent.Messi is informed by Xavi that he will play as one of the two midfielders in front of the holding midfielder, which is quite similar to what he does for Argentina. Every time Leo learns about the various solutions Xavi has come up with, his eyes light up.
With his recent success with it, it's no surprise that Messi has joined the team to play a position that is similar to the one he plays for his national team.
At the World Cup in December, the superstar not only won the championship but also the Golden Ball for being the competition's greatest player.
The Nou Camp audience appears to be eager for the return of their idol, as evidenced by the chants they made during their midweek Clasico loss to Real Madrid.
It's unclear if they will truly be able to pay to bring him back, and he may decide to stay in Paris to compete for PSG in the Champions League one more time.
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