FC Barcelona isn’t the only one wanting Lionel Messi to return to the Spanish club. El Nacional reported on Thursday that American sportswear company Nike also wants the Argentine back at Camp Nou.
The Catalan media outlet notes that Nike is pressuring Barcelona to offload Ansu Fati, who currently wears the No. 10 kit, and bring Messi back to La Liga. A Messi return would allow the company to profit more from jersey sales.
Nike reportedly believes that “the best” Barcelona can do is “sell Ansu” and “give the ’10’ to another crack,” which can have considerably more of a media and marketing influence.
Whether it’s Nike or other business partners are behind the push for Messi to return to Barcelona, the La Liga side has already reportedly made an offer to the Argentine.
Nonetheless, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner will need to take a pay cut as he’d earn €25 million per season if Messi accepted the reported offer from Barcelona.
The Catalan club will need to offload players to bring back Messi and Fati might be one that might have to go for the veteran goal scorer to return.
