Javier Tebas, president of La Liga, has questioned Lionel Messi's potential return to Barcelona, saying that only PSG can meet his wage demands.
The potential of working with Messi was recently embraced by Barca coach Xavi, but the La Liga president has his doubts. Tebas questioned the Argentine's motivations and the likelihood that Paris Saint-Germain would permit him to leave before asserting that the salary he is currently receiving in the French capital would not comply with La Liga's financial rules.
“I don’t know what [Messi] wants,” Tebas said at a ceremony for the Spanish Ejecutivos magazine. “First of all, if he wants to leave PSG; secondly, if PSG will let him leave; and, thirdly, it depends on what he earns, right? If all these three things fall into place and it’s affordable for Barcelona, he will sign inside [LaLiga’s] financial regulations. But it depends on what he earns. If it’s what he earned when he left [in 2021], then no. With the amount Messi earns [at the moment], only PSG can afford him.”
Messi bid an emotional farewell to the Catalan club in 2021 after Barcelona could not comply with La Liga’s strict financial laws. After nearly a year-and-a-half in the French capital, where he has recorded 23 goals, and 28 assists, rumours about the Argentine’s next destination are beginning to circulate. The most recent move mooted was a sensational multi-million dollar transfer to MLS side Inter Miami.
Messi (32 games) became the second-fastest player to reach 20 assists in Ligue 1 since records began in 2006-07, behind only Angel Di Maria (31 games).
With uncertainties over his club’s future, Messi may need to produce heroics again for Argentina when they take on Poland in the World Cup this Wednesday. The Albiceleste need a win to be sure of the last 16 qualifications.