Explained: Why Lionel Messi's new Barcelona tattoo doesn't mean he's going back to Spain & Paris Saint Germain Ready To Loan And Sell Neymar Opening Door To Barcelona Return
Lionel Messi, the Argentine footballer, has added a Barcelona logo to his leg sleeve, which already had the number 10, a football, and the Argentina badge. While this development has created speculation that he may be returning to Spain, it is reported that Messi planned to get the tattoo as far back as two years ago when he was still on the books at Camp Nou. Therefore, the tattoo is unlikely to be any sort of indication of his potential return to Barcelona. Messi's contract with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is set to expire at the end of the season, and while Barcelona is interested in bringing him back to Spain, he is also said to have received a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia worth around £320 million ($400 million) per year, which could cast doubt on his homecoming.
The PSG forward has been suspended for two weeks after making an unsanctioned trip to Saudi Arabia and will next be eligible to play for the club on May 21 when they face Auxerre in Ligue 1. Neymar, another former Barcelona player who is currently at PSG, is rumored to be on his way out of the club as well. PSG is reportedly ready to loan Neymar out with an option to buy, which opens the door to a potential return to FC Barcelona.
PSG famously bought the Brazilian from Barcelona in 2017 when they activated his €222 million ($244 million) release clause, smashing the world transfer record in the process. While Neymar has won Ligue 1 four times since switching allegiances, he has failed to lift either the Ballon d'Or award for the world's best player or the Champions League, which were the primary motives behind his move.
Neymar's plan to emerge out of the shadow of his former Barcelona teammate, Lionel Messi, never quite came to fruition. However, with Messi joining him at PSG but now on his way out when his contract expires on June 30, Neymar might follow Messi out of the exit door in quick succession.
According to reports from France and Spain, PSG is open to loaning out Neymar, their most expensive player, and including an option to buy in the deal. However, as Neymar has a contract that runs until 2027, he is under no obligation to move if he doesn't wish. Premier League clubs, such as Manchester United, Newcastle United, and Chelsea, provide potential next destinations for Neymar if he fancies a new challenge. Nonetheless, a return to FC Barcelona cannot be ruled out, given his unfinished business with the Blaugrana, coupled with Messi potentially heading back to Camp Nou.
However, the major issue with a potential move back to Barcelona or any other club for Neymar would be money, with the cash-strapped La Liga leaders currently struggling to shed €200 million ($220 million) from the wage bill in order to re-sign Messi. As such, they cannot offer anything remotely close to Neymar's current wages.
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PSG famously bought the Brazilian from Barcelona in 2017 when they activated his €222 million ($244 million) release clause, smashing the world transfer record in the process. While Neymar has won Ligue 1 four times since switching allegiances, he has failed to lift either the Ballon d'Or award for the world's best player or the Champions League, which were the primary motives behind his move.
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