FC Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez stated on Saturday “the doors are open” to Lionel Messi.
Xavi was voicing in a press conference prior the El Clasico on Sunday, when Barca clashed with La Liga leaders Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Messi has suffered a disappointing season at PSG although Barca’s terrible financial situation would make re-signing Messi cumbersome.
La Liga’s fresh spending restrictions published previous week set Barcelona’s limit at – €144 million ($159 million). This means the club will have to make reasonable savings to sign anyone in the next transfer window.
Messi was released previous year due to Barca could not manage to renew his contract, which brought an emotional end to the striker’s commemorate career at Camp Nou.
Queried if he would open the door to Messi coming back, Xavi stated: “He is the best player in history and the history of the club, he’s earned the right to have the doors open to him.”
“As long as I am coach the doors are open to him if he wants to come any day. He is the best in history and as a club we owe him a great tribute, he deserves it, but he has a contract with PSG, so there is little more I can tell you.”
“If he wants to come any day, to see training, talk to the coach, the doors are open because he is the best player in the history of the club.”
With Messi lacking, Barcelona grappled for much of the season however Xavi, who was recruited in November, has looked after a significant upturn in form.
Barca are at third, very likely to qualify for next season’s Champions League, and will hopefully win against Real Madrid.
In spite of winning their last 4 consecutive league matches, Barcelona are 15 points behind Real Madrid in the table, although with a game in hand.
