- Speculation that Lionel Messi could return to FC Barcelona after less than two years with Paris Saint-Germain has heightened recently.
- His father, Jorge Messi, reportedly met last week with Barca president Joan Laporte.
Lionel Messi's father fueled speculation that the world soccer superstar could soon return to FC Barcelona after two years with Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Jorge Messi reportedly met with Barca's president Joan Laporte last week, according to Sport, the Spanish publication that cited Catalunya Radio in its report.
Laporte has long been willing to welcome one of the sport's most iconic players back to Barca, Spanish reports say, and there could be movement in Spain to push a deal through as Messi's contract at Paris Saint-Germain expires on June 30.
Sport reports that Laporte would "have discussed" Messi's "possible future" at Barcelona with the player's dad.
The recent development comes at a time when Messi's performances at PSG have come under the microscope.
Messi branded a 'failure' at PSG
Former PSG star Jerome Rothen said Messi's stint in Paris has been a "failure," according to French broadcaster RMC Sport.
In his first season, Messi returned 11 goals and 14 assists from 33 appearances in Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League. Compared to his exploits at Barcelona, it was an underwhelming debut campaign.
However, his haul has improved in the current season, as Messi has tallied 15 goals and 16 assists from 25 appearances in both competitions.
Regardless, Rothen is unimpressed.
"Lionel Messi has been an anomaly since he arrived," Rothen told RMC.
"It's hard to talk like that about such a player who has marked the history of football so much, but that's the reality unfortunately in relation to his investment and in relation to his performance."
Rothen said Messi feels "orphaned" by Barcelona. He added that PSG advisor Luis Camps "must take responsibility" and "admit that the arrival of Lionel Messi was not necessarily a good thing, and that it was a failure."
As Messi signed a two-year deal with PSG in August 2021, he is free to talk to rival clubs over the coming months, and move away from Paris in the summer.
Messi scored a phenomenal 672 goals from 778 games during his time at Barcelona, winning 10 LaLiga titles, four Champions League trophies, and a plethora of cup competitions.