Barcelona would reportedly consider re-signing Lionel Messi on a free transfer in 2023, should the attacker decide against penning a new contract at Paris Saint-Germain.
The 34-year-old left Barcelona on a free transfer last summer due to the Catalan outfit's financial problems, ultimately penning a two-year deal with PSG.
Messi finished the 2021-22 campaign with 11 goals and 14 assists in 34 appearances in all competitions, but he only found the back of the net on six occasions in Ligue 1 and faced criticism for his performances.
The Argentina international has already confirmed that he will remain with PSG next season, but his contract is due to expire in June 2023, with the option of a further 12 months.
"Next season will be way better for me with Paris Saint-Germain, I'm sure. It was not easy after that crazy summer," Messi recently told TyC Sports.
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"It was really difficult to understand what happened, I wasn't expecting to leave Barcelona - it was a shock. I had everything in Barcelona. I went to Barcelona when I was very young. I lived more in Barcelona than in Argentina. The truth is that I had no plans to change anything.
"Luckily the adaptation of the kids was good, but for Antonela and for me it was more difficult."
Messi scored 672 goals and registered 302 assists in 777 appearances for Barcelona before his surprise exit, and the Catalan club's president Joan Laporta is often asked about the forward returning to Camp Nou.
In a recent interview with L'Esportiu, Laporta said: "We would've liked Messi to stay, but it wasn't to be. And it wasn't to be because of La Liga's Financial Fair Play rules and PSG's offers. When players are like that, they find they cannot leave because the deals are worth many millions of euros."
According to ESPN, Barcelona 'would find it hard to say no' to re-signing Messi on a free transfer next summer, with the club's head coach Xavi set to have a big say in whether his former teammate returns.
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The report claims that a move to the Premier League is also an option for the South American, with Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Newcastle United all capable of signing him.
Meanwhile, a return to Newell's Old Boys or a switch to the MLS are also allegedly options for Messi in the latter stages of his career.
The forward's father, Jorge Messi, said last month that he was hopeful of his son returning to Barcelona before the end of his career.
"I hope it [happens], some day," Jorge Messi told Jijantes FC.
The forward won 10 La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey crowns and four Champions League trophies during a highly-successful period at Camp Nou.
Messi helped PSG win Ligue 1 last term, but the French giants again fell short in the Champions League, with Real Madrid beating Liverpool in the final to lift the trophy for the 14th time in their history.
Matt Law
