Barcelona president addresses possible return of Lionel Messi

Barcelona president Joan Laporta sounds optimistic Paris Saint-Germain superstar Lionel Messi will choose a return to the Catalan club over a big-money move to Saudi Arabia this summer. 

"With all due respect to Saudi Arabia -- where a lot of good work and investment is taking place around the league there -- Barca is Barca," Laporta told outlet TV3 on Monday regarding Messi's future, as shared by Sam Marsden and Moises Llorens of ESPN. "Barca is his home. Barca can compete with anyone. The history this club has and the feeling of our 400 million supporters is so strong."

Messi is set to leave Paris Saint-Germain once his contract expires after this season and reportedly could earn roughly $400M annually if he joins a Saudi Pro League side such as Al-Hilal. 

While it's widely assumed no European club can match such a massive offer for the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner, it was reported ahead of the weekend that Barcelona were "hugely confident" they will "soon" be able to announce Messi's return to what was his senior footballing home from 2004 through the 2020-21 season. 

What was referred to at the time as "financial and structural obstacles (Spanish Liga regulations)" prevented Barcelona from re-signing Messi in the summer of 2021, and he eventually put pen to paper on a two-year deal with Paris Saint-Germain. Laporta indicated Monday that any animosity linked with Messi's departure roughly two years ago is now in the past. 

"I have spoken with him recently to rectify the situation after I had to put the club before everything, even him, the best player in the world," Laporta added. "It was a pleasant conversation. We have recovered the relationship we have had for many years."

Marsden and Llorens mentioned that Major League Soccer and club Inter Miami remain "interested" in acquiring Messi, but it is believed the 35-year-old could reject both MLS and Saudi Arabia to play in a top-tier European league and in next season's UEFA Champions League competition to be as sharp as possible for the 2024 Copa America.