Xavi: 'Doors always open for Lionel Messi at Barcelona'

Barcelona boss Xavi has said that 'the doors are always open' for Lionel Messi at Camp Nou.

The 34-year-old left the Catalan giants on a free transfer last summer due to the club's financial problems, with the attacker making the move to Paris Saint-Germain on a two-year deal.

Messi has scored seven times and registered 11 assists in 26 appearances for Mauricio Pochettino's side this season, but he was recently booed by the PSG supporters, and his father is said to have been in contact with Barcelona to discuss a possible return to the club.

Dani Alves has also urged the Argentina international to return to Barcelona in the near future.

Xavi has said that Messi is 'always welcome' at the club but has conceded that the forward's contract in the French capital will make it difficult for the La Liga outfit to re-sign him.

"Messi has earned the right to have the doors open to him at Barcelona, while I am manager here he is welcome to come to see training every day or speak with the manager," Xavi told Mundo Deportivo.

"What he has given us is priceless, he is the best player in history and he deserves a great homage from the club. But currently he has a contract with PSG, I think he signed for two years."

Messi has only netted twice in 18 Ligue 1 appearances for PSG this season, while he struggled to make his mark in the last-16 stage of the Champions League against Real Madrid.