Former Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman backs the possibility of Paris Saint-Germain forward Lionel Messi making a return to the Catalan club in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Messi is set to become a free agent in the summer, and he reportedly still has not yet made a final decision on just where he will play club football next season. Barring a major change of plans from PSG club officials in the coming months, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner will reportedly leave the reigning Ligue 1 champions after just two seasons.
Barcelona has been keeping a close watch on Messi’s situation at PSG. Barcelona vice president Rafa Yuste did confirm last month that the club has been in touch with Messi’s camp regarding a possible return.
Koeman, who managed Messi for a mere one season at Barca, would like to see the Argentine forward take his talents back to the current La Liga leaders.
“Messi is the best player in the world and when he left it was difficult,” Koeman said on Wednesday ahead of the Koeman Cup, his charitable golf and paddle event. “The team that has him is going to be stronger. His departure from Barca was a very bad day.
“If I see Leo with another shirt, it hurts me. It’s his home, where he needs to be. It was not good that the board did not give him the possibility to stay, but I am in favor of Messi being a Barca player.”
Messi is just coming off of a vital performance in PSG’s Ligue 1 away win over OGC Nice where he chipped in with two goal contributions. He is expected to next feature for PSG in its upcoming Ligue 1 home matchup against second-place side RC Lens.
