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Barcelona: How and when Xavi Hernandez intends to bring Lionel Messi back

Barcelona will not rule out bringing back Lionel Messi, but Xavi Hernandez will be the ultimate arbiter of that choice. Check out how and when the Blaugrana coach plans to lure the 34-year-old forward back to the Camp Nou.

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By martina alcheva

Lionel Messi and Xavi Hernandez of Barcelona
© Alex Caparros/Getty ImagesLionel Messi and Xavi Hernandez of Barcelona

Barcelona‘s season has come to a conclusion, and the majority of the Catalans’ fan base is likely pleased to see it go for another year.This season was not as bad as expected, butit finished much better than it had started.

When Lionel Messi leftto move to Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent inthe summer of 2021 and the squad appeared adrift without him, there was nothing to celebrate at Camp Nou as arch-rivals Real Madrid achieved a Liga andUEFAChampions League double.

Thanks to Xavi Hernandez, the side had at least recovered enough to qualify for next season’s Champions League. However, aside from a thrilling secondmatch of the 2021-22 La Liga season against Real Madrid, the Blaugrana rebuilding campaign was mostly forgettable.

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How Messi could go back to Barcelona and when

It was up to the rest of the Barcelona team to step up while Lionel Messi was out of action. Since that hasn’tworked out quite yet, president Joan Laporta has another plan.

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A free transfer in 2023 for the Argentineis apparently being considered by Barcelona in the event that Messi decides to leave PSG and not sign a new deal with the club.The 2021 Copa America winner has previously said that he would continue in France next season, although his contract expires in June 2023 with the option of a further 12 months.

It would be difficult for Barca to say no to Messi returning on a Bosman deal next summerif his salaries were not a problem, according to ESPN‘s Samuel Marsden. In addition,the club’s current bossXavi is expected to have a major role in whether the Argentine returns to his previous side.

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According to previous comments from the Catalan giant’s president Laporta, the 34-year-old forward wouldonly make a comeback for free. According to the report, Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Newcastleare all capable of bringing himto their respective Premier League clubs.

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